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 John W. Pierce (ASN: ER-57503702), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 2d Reconnaissance Company, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 14 February 1951, in the vicinity of Chaum-ni, Korea. On that date the 2d Reconnaissance Company and Company L, 9th Infantry Regiment had the mission of establishing blocking positions at a road junction. The perimeter was attacked by approximately 1,000 enemy armed with small arms, automatic weapons, and mortars. Private Pierce, a medical aidman attached to the 2d Reconnaissance Company, left his position of comparative safety to administer first aid to several wounded men who were on an outpost outside of the perimeter. Under intense hostile fire he treated the wounded and urged the slightly wounded to assist the critically wounded. Private Pierce organized a loading party of slightly wounded men and directed the loading of the wounded onto the vehicles. During the withdrawal he drove a jeep loaded with wounded through two miles of intense fire from enemy positions on both sides of the road until the jeep was disabled by enemy action. Stopping another jeep, he loaded the living wounded on it, thus saving many lives. The calmness, courage, and gallantry displayed by Private Pierce reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.