The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant John Shevchenko, Jr. (ASN: RA-6918546), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 72d Tank Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 27 May 1953, near Inje, Korea. On that date he was a tank commander supporting the advance of a task force which had the mission of driving through the enemy forces and capturing the vital road junction of Inje. Because of heavy small arms and mortar fire from a large draw along the route of advance, the vehicular column in front of him was forced to stop. Sergeant Shevchenko moved his section of tanks forward to engage the enemy. In order to make the enemy expose himself, Sergeant Shevchenko made a target of himself for the enemy by manning the .50 caliber machine gun on top of his tank. The return fire from the enemy enabled the Tank section to locate his positions and, destroy them. In the course of this action Sergeant Shevchenko was wounded but, although suffering intense pain, continued to lead his tank section, engaging and destroying the enemy as he advanced. The gallantry and leadership displayed by Sergeant Shevchenko reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.