The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel John W. Stevens, II (MCSN: 0-6180), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea from 27 November to 11 December 1950. Throughout this period of intensive action, Lieutenant Colonel Stevens gallantly led his battalion in almost daily contact with the enemy in exceedingly difficult mountainous terrain and under bitter, sub-zero weather conditions. Called upon to reinforce heavily-engaged units when the enemy launched a concerted attack against all friendly forces in the Chosin Reservoir Area on 27 November, he personally contacted each company commander and, realizing that they were not familiar with the terrain they were about to occupy, led or directed them to proper routes of approach to their assigned areas in the face of an intense hostile mortar barrage. With his battalion committed to an all-out defense of key terrain features during the following three days, he labored unceasingly to direct and coordinate the successful defense of the vital strategic ground, the loss of which would have seriously jeopardized the bi-regimental defense perimeter. During the redeployment from Yudam-ni to new positions, he established his command post immediately to the rear of the heavily-engaged companies in order to control the precise timing required for a successful disengagement from an aggressive enemy force and, bravely remaining with the last unit to break contact, maintained his post at a key bridge until all elements of the battalion had crossed and the bridge was destroyed by demolition. On the morning of 4 December, when the road on the outskirts of Hagaru-ri was blocked by vehicles of other units and subjected to fierce hostile mortar and automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Colonel Stevens immediately committed elements of his command to seize and neutralize enemy-held positions, boldly moving through the fire-swept area to clear key vehicles and facilitate movement of the stalled column. When the battalion defense sector was attacked by two enemy regiments at Hagaru-ri on the night of 6 – 7 December, he expertly controlled his forces and, although his command post was exposed to intense and accurate hostile fire throughout the action, skillfully directed the repulse of the enemy with heavy losses. By his outstanding courage, inspiring leadership and steadfast devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Stevens contributed immeasurably to the success of the FIRST Marine Division during this period and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.