The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant John Spencer Carson (MCSN: 0-46408), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company A, First Tank Battalion, First Provisional Marine Brigade (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in action against enemy aggressor forces near Tangsan, Korea, on 3 September 1950. During an attack on an enemy position Second Lieutenant Carson, acting as tank liaison officer, observed that the platoon commander and platoon sergeant of a supporting tank platoon were seriously wounded. Unhesitatingly, he assumed command of the platoon and skillfully continued in support of the attack. Shortly afterward when the tank was hit by enemy antitank fire and began to burn, Lieutenant Carson grabbed a fire extinguisher and, disregarding his personal safety, fearlessly and courageously climbed out of the tank in the face of intense hostile fire and extinguished the blaze, thereby saving the tank and lives of the crew. In this intrepid action, he was struck in both legs by enemy small-arms fire which knocked him from the tank to the ground. Despite his severe and painful wounds, he refused to be evacuated and, crawling forward to the high ground, he directed the devastating fire of his tanks against enemy positions until he was mortally wounded. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Second Lieutenant Spencer on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.