The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain John R. Grove (MCSN: 0-13051), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as S-1 of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 7 December 1950. When an enemy ambush halted the vehicle train during a blistering night attack, Captain Grove courageously moved forward through the intense barrage to the head of the column and, arriving at a narrow bridge where a vehicle had overturned midway across, made a desperate but futile attempt to remove it despite continued accurate small arms fire laid down by the enemy. With advance elements of the convoy proceeding forward, he ran over a fire-swept, four hundred yard stretch of road to establish contact and, ordering a bulldozer operator to return with him to again attempt to clear the bridge, supervised the construction of a by-pass when it was impossible to move the vehicle blocking the passage of the convoy. By his aggressive and determined leadership, exceptional ability and heroic actions in the face of grave peril, Captain Grove served as an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the forward advance of the convoy to its destination. His staunch devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.