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 John N. Southern (ASN: RA-39208528), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 6 June 1951, when E Company’s Third Platoon attacked a fog-shrouded enemy-held cliff dominating a strategically important area near Harang-dong, Korea, Korea, it encountered such fierce small arms and grenade opposing fire that casualties were incurred and the platoon’s attack was stalled. The enemy force, fighting from an elaborate system of log and earth covered bunkers and trenches, continued to lay down such a lethal hail of fire that the pinned-down platoon’s situation became even more desperate as additional casualties were inflicted on the precariously situated unit. Sergeant Southern, acting platoon leader, unheeding his personal danger, moved from man to man reassuring them, pointing out targets and readying them for an assault on the hill. Bursting grenades exploded and small arms fire splattered near him, but ignoring this, he continued to rally the platoon and at his given signal the unit fixed bayonets, then furiously charged the objective slaying the enemy defenders and capturing the hill. This action removed a dangerous obstacle to the advance of friendly troops and allowed the regiment’s 2d Battalion subsequently to secure its larger and vital objective. Sergeant Southern’s gallant leadership and valiant courage reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.