The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel John Leland Hopkins (MCSN: 0-7421), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, from 25 to 29 April 1951. When a savage attack by numerically superior enemy forces exposed the flanks of his battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Hopkins led his men in a highly complicated and difficult retrograde movement. Constantly exposing himself to intense and accurate hostile mortar, artillery, automatic-weapons and small-arms fire, he directed the defense of successive blocking positions and, at all times, inspired his units to greater efforts in inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Laboring untiringly, he devised intricate maneuvers to delay and confuse the hostile forces, and devoted himself to insuring adequate medical care for the battalion casualties. By his aggressive leadership, decisive actions and thorough understanding of the multitudinous problems confronting his battalion, he aided immeasurably in the success achieved by the regiment. His outstanding courage, daring initiative and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Hopkins and the United States Naval Service.