The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major John R. Kerman (MCSN: 0-8407), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Operations Officer of the First Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 21 June 1945. Directed to supervise the closing of a gap between his battalion and the battalion on its left and to coordinate the defensive fires of the two groups for the night, Major Kerman courageously led a reconnaissance party in determining the exact limits of the gap. When he and his party were subjected to enemy fire at close range from a well-concealed position and were forced to take cover, he observed that a wounded officer of his group had failed to reach safety and was lying wounded in an exposed area. Despite the extreme peril, Major Kerman fearlessly left cover and brought him to safety. Later, after directing a relieving patrol in destroying the hostile emplacement, he continued on his mission and, in the face of further enemy resistance, succeeded in closing the gap before nightfall. By his determination, fortitude and devotion to duty, Major Kerman upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.