The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal John DeGroot, Jr. (ASN: RA-19323729), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against the enemy on 2 August 1950 near Kumchon, Korea. When a numerically superior enemy struck against the left flank of the battalion perimeter in the area defended by the 1st Platoon of Company C, they overran part of the platoon positions, inflicting many casualties. The North Koreans set up a withering automatic and small arms fire, raking the newly set up positions and firing upon any of the wounded who attempted to reach friendly positions. A friendly machine gun was brought over to the flank to hold the enemy advance in check, but the gunner and his assistant were wounded almost immediately by accurate sniper fire. Corporal DeGroot, with absolute disregard for his own safety, took over the machine gun and moved it to an even more exposed position in order to obtain better fields of fire. While firing a stream of covering fire over the heads of the wounded men, he yelled instructions and encouragement to them. Unmindful of the enemy fire, he remained in his exposed positions and was successful in directing three of the men who were wounded to safety. While heroically firing the machine gun, he was killed by a sniper. Corporal DeGroot’s gallantry reflects great credit on himself and the military service.