The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal John Popovich, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the TENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, in 1943 and 1944. Corporal Popovich, disregarding his own safety, rushed to the injured pilot and attempted to quiet him, even as bombs were exploding less than 200 yards from them. He got the pilot into the ambulance and drove through smoke and over the bomb-torn airfield to the dispensary. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Corporal Popovich, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.