The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Master Sergeant John L. Rollins (ASN: RA-44120741), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a member of a Field Artillery Battery of the 987th Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Rollins distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kumsong, Korea, on 12 June 1953. On that, Sergeant Rollins was on a forward artillery observation post under heavy attack by a hostile force. When the forward observer was wounded in the ensuing artillery and mortar barrage, Sergeant Rollins assumed responsibility for directing fire on the advancing enemy. Through sheer weight of numbers, the enemy was successful in surrounding the outpost. Realizing the consequences of his action, Sergeant Rollins called in artillery fire on his own position. His heroic action in delaying the advance of the enemy force enabled the United Nations infantry to reorganize and establish new defensive positions. When the observation post was last seen by Allied troops, hostile soldiers were swarming over the position. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Master Sergeant Rollins on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.