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 John M. Prest (ASN: ER-17173836), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action on 26 May 1951 near Hangye, Korea. On that occasion he was with his unit which was part of an armored column. This column was ambushed by enemy forces. Many casualties were suffered because of the intense enemy fire. In spite of heavy fire, Sergeant Prest exposed himself voluntarily in order to rescue wounded comrades. In rescuing one man he was wounded but nevertheless was able to bring the man to safety. He refused to be evacuated until the entire platoon was out of the ambush. The gallantry and devotion to his comrades displayed by Sergeant Prest reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.