The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John A. Kelley (ASN: RA-16308990), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery A, 11th Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 20 July 1950, near Taejon, Korea. During the withdrawal of Battery A from Taejon the company ran into an enemy roadblock leading into the city. Private Kelley who was driving an M-5 Tractor, went to the head of the column and pushed two burning vehicles off the road which enabled the convoy to proceed. About a mile farther an enemy tank was blocking the road and had its turret gun pointed perpendicular to the road upon which he was approaching with his tractor. Private Kelley with disregard for his own safety drove his tractor into the tank gun and disabled it to the extent that the turret could not be operated. The gallant act displayed by Private Kelley reflects great credit on himself and the military service.