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 Lieutenant Colonel John Thomas Rooney (MCSN: 0-6219), 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, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces near the Hwachon Reservoir, Korea, on 29 May 1951. Lieutenant Colonel Rooney led his battalion in a daring assault against strategic enemy positions on commanding ground, bitterly defended by a numerically superior and strongly entrenched hostile force. Despite increased enemy activity and mounting resistance, he constantly braved intense hostile fire as he moved among his forward elements to direct and coordinate the attack. In the ensuring action Colonel Rooney was struck in the shoulder by a hostile mortar fragment but, ignoring the painful wound, continued to press the attack with such determination that the enemy was routed and the strongpoint secured. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Rooney on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.