The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) John Simpson Guthrie (ASN: 0-18228), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in Korea. On 3 December 1950, near Huksuri, Korea, Colonel Guthrie, realizing from the fragmentary reports that 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, was attacked by overwhelming odds, estimated to be at least two enemy regiments, combining direct frontal assault with attacks on both flanks, infiltration, and heavy mortar fire, Colonel Guthrie raced fifteen miles through guerilla-ridden countryside between Kogal-Dong and Huksuri, Korea, without regard for his own personal safety, to the battalion position. On learning that the battalion commander was then engaged in extricating several hard-pressed elements of the battalion from their positions in Huksuri, and that the high officer casualty rate had left many units leaderless, Colonel Guthrie personally and with tireless energy, organized scattered elements of three companies and moved them to commanding ground where they were able to cover the successful withdrawal of the remainder of the battalion combat team. His coolness under fire, commanding presence, and calm, unhurried manner, inspired the exhausted troops, enabling hem to check the savage flanking attack and to stabilize the line. Colonel Guthrie’s personal leadership and courage in the face of automatic weapons and mortar fire, his professional ability and tireless energy in moving from unit to unit under heavy small arms fire over icy mountain terrain to reestablish morale and unit integrity, were the chief factors in the preservation of the battalion combat team as an effective fighting force. Colonel Guthrie’s gallantry, calm and superb leadership, reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) John Simpson Guthrie (ASN: 0-18228), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Korea, in 1950. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Guthrie, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.