The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John J. Means (MCSN: 1311775), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 21 March 1953. With five members of his patrol wounded when ambushed by a well-concealed enemy force while returning from a reconnaissance far forward of the main line of resistance, Private First Class Means unhesitatingly moved to the side of the patrol path and delivered a deadly hail of covering fire which enabled the patrol to evacuate the wounded and retire. Although painfully wounded, he continued to fire his weapon and refused to retire until assured that the remainder of the patrol had withdrawn to a safe position. Returning alone to the scene of the ambush to locate a missing Marine, he observed the unconscious victim being dragged across a rice paddy by a hostile soldier, whom he quickly dispatched. Painfully wounded a second time while carrying the wounded man back to the patrol through intense enemy small arms and grenade fire, Private First Class Means, by his indomitable fighting spirit, courageous initiative and inspiring efforts in behalf of others, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.