The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fourth Class John P. Laurick, United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 24 June 1966. On this date, while on a search and destroy mission, Specialist Laurick’s platoon moved past another element which had been hit with two claymore mines. In doing so, the platoon hoped to keep in contact with the Viet Cong snipers. As they moved about 100 meters past the stricken platoon, several Viet Cong claymore mines exploded. Specialist Laurick’s platoon sustained three immediate casualties. At the same time the claymores were detonated, the men received automatic weapons as well as several small arms fire from the Viet Cong snipers in the area. Specialist Laurick, acting as squad leader of the third squad, moved his men on line and started to advance towards the Viet Cong position. The hostile fire intensified, forcing his squad to crawl forward. Displaying outstanding leadership at all times, he kept complete control over his men. Upon seeing one of the members of his platoon critically wounded, Specialist Laurick ran to his aid and carried him back to the rear for medical treatment. After returning to his squad, Specialist Laurick located a well entrenched Viet Cong machine gun position. With complete disregard for his own safety, he charged the position and successfully destroyed it with hand grenades. He then turned his attention to snipers concealed in the trees, killing two of them. After this he ran into the open, yelled to his squad to follow him, and spearheaded an assault into the insurgent positions. Specialist Four Laurick’s unquestionable valor in close combat against superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.