The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John J. Gallapo, Jr. (MCSN: 569682), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Leader of Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 2 December 1950. With his platoon subjected to a heavy volume of small arms and machine gun fire from enemy positions on high ground overlooking three sides of the platoon’s defensive perimeter, Private First Class Gallapo repeatedly exposed himself to the hostile fire in order to relay messages, distribute ammunition, assist in aiding the wounded and alert and encourage the exhausted men of the unit. When he observed a wounded comrade who was unable to move to shelter, he immediately leaped from his position of comparative safety and dashed approximately forty yards across open snow-covered ground to the side of the casualty. Carrying the wounded man in his arms, he started for the safety of cover when, within a few feet of his destination, he fell severely wounded by hostile fire. Despite extreme pain, he managed to crawl the remaining distance to cover, dragging his previously wounded companion along with him. By his great personal courage and valiant efforts in behalf of another at the risk of his own life, Private First Class Gallapo upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.