The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Hospitalman First Class John D. Begale (Bagale) (NSN: 7532247), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Corpsman with a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 17 May 1951. Hospitalman First Class Begale displayed outstanding courage and devotion to duty when the company position was attacked during hours of darkness by a numerically superior enemy force. Courageously moving to the portion of the line under heaviest assault, he exposed himself to devastating enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire to render first aid to the wounded and drag them to safety. Refusing to seek safety for himself, he was moving across a fire-swept area to reach another wounded comrade when he was mortally wounded by enemy fire, gallantly giving his life for his country. Hospitalman First Class Begale’s great personal bravery and heroic actions were an inspiration to all who observed him, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.