The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel John S. Payne (MCSN: 0-11234), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Pilot and Flight Leader of Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED ELEVEN (VMF-311), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 29 December 1951. After detaching himself from his flight and descending to a low altitude to successfully locate a well-camouflaged enemy supply center and mark the target with his bombs, Lieutenant Colonel Payne directed an initial attack over the area which resulted in the damage and scattering of numerous supplies, making them vulnerable to the follow-up napalm attack. Coordinating and leading his flight in repeated passes over the area until all ordnance was expended, he personally carried out a low-level reconnaissance run over the target through hostile anti-aircraft fire to make a thorough assessment of the damage. By his expert tactical skill, daring leadership and courageous devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Payne aided materially in destroying one supply revetment, damaging three others and causing several fires, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.