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 J. Potter (ASN: 0-401605), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 27th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Saipan, Mariana Islands, during the period 17 June to 11 July 1944. Captain Potter who commanded a Rifle Company during this period, exposed himself on numerous occasions to intensive enemy fire in order to better organize and direct the efforts of the unit. At one time during the campaign when his company was pinned down and suffering casualties from enemy riflemen and machine guns firing at a range of approximately fifty yards, he sprang from a covered position and ran approximately fifty yards across open ground to several friendly light tanks. He acquainted the tank platoon leader with the situation and organized an infantry-tank attack which was instrumental in silencing the enemy fire and preventing additional casualties.