The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Roscoe R. St. John (MCSN: 0-29619), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE (VMF(AW)-533), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 22 October 1951. When the Navy Rescue Helicopter he was escorting was taken under intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, Captain St. John immediately maneuvered his plane to an altitude approximately 2,000 feet below the harassed craft and, flying back and forth across the hostile fire batteries, succeeded in drawing the fire away from the helicopter, permitting it to proceed safely to the successful completion of its mission. By his expert airmanship, daring tactics and outstanding courage in the face of tremendous odds, Captain St. John contributed materially to the success of an extremely difficult rescue assignment, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.




