The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant John C. Breckinridge (MCSN: 0-47520), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of Company B, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 24 September 1951. During a fierce engagement with the enemy, First Lieutenant Breckinridge boldly left his covered position and ran two hundred yards through an intense hostile mortar and artillery barrage in an effort to call in counter-battery fire on the opposition. Discovering that the communication wires to the firing batteries had been knocked out by the enemy, he bravely sprinted back to the command post with hostile shells bursting around him and requested an observation aircraft to direct counter-battery fire. By his cool resourcefulness and outstanding initiative, he served to inspire all who observed him and contributed materially to silencing the hostile guns. His marked courage and unswerving devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Breckinridge and the United States Naval Service.