The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant John J. Carmody (MCSN: 0-101793), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 6 December 1967, during Operation KENTUCKY, Second Lieutenant Carmody’s unit suddenly came under heavy small arms, automatic weapons, artillery and mortar fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force northeast of Con Thien. In the initial moments of the fire fight, the Marines sustained several casualties and were pinned down. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he quickly organized his men and skillfully directed suppressive fire on the hostile force. When an exploding enemy hand grenade wounded the members of a machine gun team and North Vietnamese soldiers were about to overrun the emplacement, Second Lieutenant Carmody fearlessly exposed himself to the intense enemy fire and, armed only with his pistol, ran to the beleaguered position. Delivering accurate fire on the advancing enemy, he succeeded in halting the assault and enabled the wounded men to withdraw to an alternate position. Seizing the machine gun that had been left unattended when its wounded crew was evacuated, he returned to the defensive perimeter. Although seriously wounded in the shoulder, he ignored the painful injury and, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved about the fire-swept terrain from one position to another, encouraging his men and assisting in the treatment of the casualties. Steadfastly refusing medical treatment, he directed his men to a more defensible position where he rallied the Marines and led a determined assault into the face of the enemy fire and recaptured his original position. As a result of his aggressive fighting spirit and resolute determination in the face of extreme personal danger, he was an inspiration to all who observed him and was instrumental in the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, superb leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Carmody upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.