The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal John T. Holcomb (ASN: RA-13350812), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 23 May 1951, C Company’s First Platoon, during an attack on an enemy-held hill, near Undu-Rydong, Korea, came under fire from hostile troops well-concealed by dense underbrush. Corporal Holcomb, as lead scout for the platoon, was in front of the main body of troops, but rather than delay the momentum of the assault, he continued to advance up the incline, hurling hand grenades and firing his rifle with telling accuracy. At one point an enemy trooper suddenly arose from a concealed position and fired point blank at Corporal Holcomb, who immediately dropped to the ground, escaping the shots. Reloading his own weapon, Corporal Holcomb, unhesitatingly rushed the hostile soldier’s position, killing him and then continuing his advance up the enemy-infested slope. The rest of the platoon followed his example and moving steadily forward inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy and seized the objective. Corporal Holcomb’s exemplary courage and gallant aggressiveness reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.