The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant John R. Calhoun (ASN: AO-1911335), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations as Pilot of an unarmed H-5 Rescue Helicopter with Detachment ONE, 3d Air Rescue Squadron, FIFTH Air Force, on 27 March 1952. Lieutenant Calhoun flew his aircraft over one hundred miles into enemy territory to rescue a captured United Nations pilot and return him to safety in friendly territory. Despite the fact that fighter cover reported that the downed pilot had been taken captive by enemy troops, Lieutenant Calhoun flew his unarmed helicopter to the site of the troops and, although unable to land and extremely vulnerable to enemy fire, helped the downed airman to effect an escape from the enemy. With the airman dangling on the side of the helicopter and the enemy firing upon him, Lieutenant Calhoun skillfully flew his damaged aircraft from the location of the pickup and aided in hoisting the man to safety in the helicopter. Through his skillful airmanship and high courage in completely disregarding personal safety, Lieutenant Calhoun effected the escape of a United Nations pilot from his captors, and reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.