The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant John D. Cotton (MCSN: 0-32737), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of an unarmed light Observation Plane in Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6) during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 20 September 1950. Informed that a barrage of enemy artillery fire was delaying the advance of friendly ground forces while he was flying an air spotting mission for a Marine Infantry Regiment, First Lieutenant Cotton immediately flew in over the front lines at low altitude to enable his observer and himself to spot enemy artillery positions and direct friendly artillery fire against them. After the effective and accurate counterbattery fire had accomplished its mission, he called for a cease fire on artillery and ordered an air strike to strafe and bomb the retreating enemy. Boldly diving his aircraft to within one hundred feet of the ground, he marked the target with smoke grenades to enable friendly fighter planes to see the target and, by his accurate spotting and courageous efforts, contributed to the destruction of eleven hostile artillery pieces and approximately two hundred of the enemy, thereby enabling the infantry regiment to continue its advance. His superb airmanship, fearless tactics and zealous devotion to duty in the face of grave danger reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Cotton and the United States Naval Service.