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 Staff Sergeant John J. Sperry (ASN: US-51774846), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Sperry distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 June 1968, while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company B, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a reconnaissance in force mission near Sa Dec. After the pointman of his platoon had been wounded by an enemy grenade, Sergeant Sperry courageously rushed forward through intense hostile fire and began to administer first aid. He then moved back through the fusillade to arrange for the man’s evacuation, after which he participated in two separate assaults against enemy positions, personally destroying one of them with a hand grenade. Continuing to brave the hail of enemy rounds, he helped to evacuate other wounded personnel and direct action against the hostile force until they had been routed. Staff Sergeant Sperry’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.