The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) John J. Rice (ASN: 0-1108264), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a member of Company A, 3d Engineer Combat Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, in action near Suan, Korea, on 5 December 1950. First Lieutenant Rice was in command of a small force assigned the mission of eliminating an enemy roadblock where friendly troops in a motor convoy were ambushed. Moving into the area, he placed his men in positions from which they could bring fire to bear on the enemy. With utter disregard for his own safety, he then ran the gauntlet of the enemy roadblock in order to alert the beleaguered friendly troops of his plan of action and returned, leading three wounded soldiers, to direct his men in the fight. During the ensuing action, he repeatedly exposed himself to a hail of deadly fire in directing the successful relief of the column and the dispersal of the enemy force. Lieutenant Rice’s fearless actions and exemplary leadership reflect great credit on himself and the U.S. Engineer Corps.