The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant John Guerra (ASN: RA-12294879), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, near Kumsong, Korea, on 8 December 1951. His platoon was occupying defensive positions on a strategic terrain feature when it was subjected to an intense enemy mortar and artillery barrage. The hostile force then launched a massive attack, deploying such intense fire in their fanatical charge that the platoon was forced to withdraw to more strategically defensible positions. Sergeant Guerra fearlessly exposed himself to the murderous enemy fire as he regrouped his men in the new defense perimeter. Although painfully wounded, he refused to leave his men. During the ensuing conflict, he noticed that a group of hostile soldiers had maneuvered dangerously close to a mortar position and were throwing grenades into the emplacement. With complete disregard for his own safety, he left his place of comparative protection and charged the enemy single-handedly, killing and wounding several of them and forcing the others to flee. He returned to his former position and continued to play a vital part in repulsing successive enemy attacks until he was seriously wounded by small arms fire and had to be evacuated to medical attention. Sergeant Guerra’s courageous action, unswerving determination and selfless devotion to duty contributed immeasurably to the success of his unit’s defense and reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.