The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal John Nicholas DeVirgilio (MCSN: 1162979), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Leader of a Machine Gun Squad in Weapons Company, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 25 July 1953. When the company’s sector of the main line of resistance was subjected to intense enemy mortar and artillery fire, followed closely by an attack by a numerically superior hostile force, Corporal DeVirgilio fearlessly exposed himself to the heavy barrage as he moved his machine gun into position and delivered a deadly hail of fire upon the assaulting force. Observing that several wounded comrades were in an adjacent trench line and that the enemy was able to fire into the trench and prevent the evacuation of the wounded, he immediately picked up his weapon and, courageously moving through a deadly barrage of hostile fire, single-handedly held off the enemy troops while friendly forces evacuated the wounded Marines. Returning to another portion of his squad’s sector, he encountered an enemy assault being hurled at friendly lines. Placing his machine gun into position, he continued to fire upon the enemy until he fell, mortally wounded. By his indomitable fighting spirit, courageous initiative and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of heavy odds, Corporal DeVirgilio served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.