The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant John C. Ward (MCSN: 571710), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gun Section Leader of Company I, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 28 and 29 November 1950. With his machine guns positioned in a flat valley, directly in the path of concentrated fierce enemy attacks and with no covered rout of supply or evacuation, Sergeant Ward fearlessly exposed himself to blistering hostile fire throughout the night to control and direct effective return fire, to obtain and supervise the re-supply of ammunition and to direct the treatment and evacuation of wounded personnel. When two of his ammunition carriers were wounded, he unhesitatingly left his position to find a Corpsman, traveling through approximately two hundred yards of open, fire-swept terrain to secure help and, after the casualties had been treated, personally assisted in evacuating them to an aid station. By his daring initiative, courageous leadership and valiant efforts in the face of heavy odds, Sergeant Ward served as an inspiration to all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.