The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal John J. Riordan (ASN: ER-11160932), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 30 August 1951 in the vicinity of Yanggu, Korea. On this date, Company A was engaged in a fierce fight with a numerically superior enemy force. During this action friendly units suffered numerous casualties and heavy volume of enemy fire made evacuation of the wounded difficult. Corporal Riordan, a machine gunner, moved his weapon to an exposed position and fired an effective base of fire upon enemy positions, thus enabling the fallen men to be evacuated. Although he drew heavy concentrations of enemy fire, Corporal Riordan continued his action until his ammunition was exhausted. At this time, observing a seriously wounded comrade, Corporal Riordan left his position and while firing his rifle, he calmly assisted the wounded man to a position of safety. The gallantry and devotion to duty and comrades displayed by Corporal Riordan on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.