The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal John W. McClain (MCSN: 628084), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman of Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 2 June 1951. When the enemy succeeded in putting a machine gun out of action and attempted to capture the weapon during the fire fight which followed the platoon’s assault of a heavily defended enemy-held ridge line, Corporal McClain courageously moved through the hail of hostile fire and succeeded in killing the enemy near the gun and in carrying the weapon to a more advantageous position. By his outstanding courage and daring initiative, Corporal McClain denied a valuable weapon to the enemy and enabled the platoon to utilize it at a crucial moment, thereby contributing materially to the success of the attack. His aggressive fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.