The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John Breske, Jr. (MCSN: 1282627), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman of Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 10 April 1953. Participating as a member of a combat patrol operating far forward of the main line of resistance when the unit was attacked by a numerically superior hostile force which inflicted casualties on all the other members of his fire team, Private First Class Breske rushed from his position to administer first aid to his wounded comrades and, after assuring himself of their safety, fearlessly advanced in the face of a withering hail of enemy grenade, small arms and mortar fire to a firing position located extremely close to the enemy. Continuously exposing himself to the hostile fire, he delivered accurate and damaging return fire to cover the evacuation of casualties, and steadfastly remained in position to repel the savage enemy attack which threatened to overrun the patrol. When the patrol disengaged, he was the last man to withdraw from the point of contact. Later, during the night, he voluntarily guided another patrol as it searched the scene of the previous action for missing members of the stricken unit. By his indomitable fighting spirit, courageous initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Private First Class Breske served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.