The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant John M. Jackson (MCSN: 0-49783), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action at Korea on November 27 – December 8, 1950. With his mortar positions brought under extremely heavy mortar fire during a fierce hostile counterattack on 3 December, Second Lieutenant Jackson kept his mortars in action despite sub-zero temperatures and a heavy snow, directing and controlling effective fire against the enemy. Although ten Marines in his section were seriously wounded during the intense action, he and the two remaining men in his section continued firing in the face of direct enemy hits on his position. Braving hostile fire, he assisted in evacuating all of the casualties in his section and subsequently directed the displacement of his mortars and ammunition. By his brilliant and forceful leadership, daring tactics and cool courage, Second Lieutenant Jackson served to inspire all who observed him and contributed to the success of the assigned mission. His fearless devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.