The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First class Joseph R. Ouellette (ASN: 11177953), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company H, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at the Makioug-Chang River salient, Yongsan, Korea, from 31 August to 3 September 1950. When an enemy assault cut off and surrounded his unit, Private First Class Ouellette voluntarily made a reconnaissance of a nearby hill under intense enemy fire to locate friendly troop positions and obtain information of the enemy’s strength and location. Finding that friendly troops were not on the hill, he worked his way back to his unit under heavy fire. Later, when an airdrop of water was made outside the perimeter, he again braved enemy fire in an attempt to retrieve water for his unit. Finding the dropped cans broken and devoid of water, he returned to his unit. His heroic attempt greatly increased his comrades’ morale. When ammunition and grenades ran low, Private First Class Ouellette again slipped out of the perimeter to collect these from the enemy dead. After collecting grenades he was attacked by an enemy soldier. He killed this enemy in hand-to-hand combat, gathered up the ammunition, and returned to his unit. When the enemy attacked on 3 September, they assaulted his position with grenades. On six occasions Private First Class Ouellette leaped from his foxhole to escape exploding grenades. In doing so, he had to face enemy small-arms fire. He continued his resistance, despite a severe wound, until he lost his life. The extraordinary heroism and intrepidity displayed by Private First Class Ouellette reflect the highest credit on himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the military service.