The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) John B. Yount (ASN: 0-1286223), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 26 September 1950 in the area extending from Hyopchon to Kochang, Korea. On that date Captain Yount volunteered with his company to lead the advance of the regiment toward the town of Kochang and to seize it. At the head of his company, he permitted neither the difficult mountain terrain, blown-out bridges, mine fields sown by the enemy nor the stiff delaying action of the retreating foe to retard his forward movement. When Captain Yount encountered fire from a hostile self-propelled gun at one point of the advance, he immediately led an assault, capturing both the gun and its crew before the enemy had a chance to retreat. At another point the advance was halted by a blown-out bridge and heavy flanking fire. Ordering his men to dismount, he unhesitatingly rushed the enemy and once more overcame all hostile resistance. At still another point, when friendly aircraft were circling overhead, Captain Yount, accompanied by four of his men, formed a walking panel at the head of his company and so permitted an effective air strike by napalm and machine gun fire on an enemy concentration less than 1,000 yards from his troops. Though an enemy occupied village was set fire by this air strike, Captain Yount eagerly pursued the enemy through the village, killing and capturing many of them before they could flee to the nearby hills. The rapid and daring advance led by Captain Yount on that day was a material factor in the successful accomplishment of the mission assigned to his battalion. The gallantry and forceful leadership displayed by Captain Yount reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.