The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class [then Sergeant] John W. Kennedy (ASN: RA-17205296), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. During an attack by an infantry company on 20 September 1950 near Changyong-ni, Korea, a platoon on the left flank was subjected to harassing fire from a by-passed hostile force. Advancing up a hill, Sergeant First Class Kennedy directed devastating fire on the enemy. Moving to within a few yards of the hostile emplacements, he threw grenades with such accuracy that the enemy was annihilated. Sergeant First Class Kennedy’s gallant actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.