The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to First Lieutenant John A. Burns (MCSN: 0-5880), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action at Fort Mills, Philippine Islands, 10 April 1942. During the course of an enemy bombing and shelling of Fort Mills, Lieutenant Burns, voluntarily exposed himself to great danger by leaving a place of shelter and proceeding a distance of some two hundred yards over open ground then under fire, to render first aid to a wounded soldier.