The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John F. Summers (MCSN: 489877), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Acting Tank Commander while serving with Company A, First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Peleliu in the Palau Group, from 15 to 19 September 1944. Undeterred by relentless enemy machine-gun and mortar fire, Private First Class Summers advanced his tank across an airstrip in support of an assault infantry company, pushing forward against heavy resistance until his tank had expended its entire supply of ammunition. With his radio inoperable, he disregarded the bursting shells to dismount from his tank and make his way on foot to the platoon command tank to call for ammunition, thus enabling his armored vehicle to remain on the front lines. Later, when his tank was disabled by a land mine, he called for a maintenance crew to move forward and repair the disabled vehicle and, during the ensuing wait, boldly manned his guns and blazed away at targets of opportunity. When the maintenance crew appeared about five hundred yards away, he braved the intense fire to dash to the repair tank and lead it to his position and, within two hours after being crippled, his vehicle was back in action. His fearless leadership, inspiring courage and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Summers and the United States Naval Service.