The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Jonathan Kong, United States Navy, for gallantry in connection with combat operations against the enemy as Corpsman, 2d Platoon, Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, 2d Marine Division (Forward), SECOND Marine Division (Forward), on 13 June 2011 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During a battalion clearing operations in the village of Kotozay, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Kong courageously fought through an enemy ambush to save the life of a wounded Marine. As he patrolled with the assault element through a maze of compounds, the Marine in front of him was shot in the chest and fell in an open area with bullets striking the ground around him. While moving to aid the wounded Marine a heavy volume of enemy machinegun fire pinned Hospital Corpsman Third Class Kong down. He identified the enemy firing position and engaged the enemy with his rifle but the enemy fire was unrelenting. As he observed enemy fire dangerously approaching the wounded Marine, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Kong courageously rushed from his covered position, boldly charged into the kill zone dodging a hail of bullets, and reached the casualty. He positively identified the enemy firing positions, returned effective fire, and while continuously exposed to the enemy, stood up and pulled the wounded Marine more than fifteen meters to a covered position. He immediately provided life-saving aid to the wounded Marine and calmly relayed the necessary information to the squad leader for a successful casualty evacuation. By his zealous initiative, courageous actions, and exceptional dedication to duty, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Kong reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.