The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) John Garnett Coughlin (ASN: 0-18898), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Colonel Coughlin distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Kusongpo-ri and Pungam-ni, Korea, during the period from 16 through 25 May 1951. On the night of 16 May 1951, when his regiment was holding an area of the Second Division line, the full force of a major enemy offensive was directed against its position. Colonel Coughlin personally and with outstanding bravery, directed his gallant forces in their stand against overwhelming odds. Displaying fearless leadership, Colonel Coughlin remained with his front line elements constantly for four consecutive days, continually exposing himself to intense hostile mortar, grenade and small-arms fire in order to maintain a completely accurate picture of the situation during this critical period. Under his superb guidance, each wave of the hostile assault was repulsed. When both the commander and the executive officer of his 2d Battalion were wounded and the battalion was giving way under repeated enemy mass attacks, Colonel Coughlin personally rushed to the threatened unit, forcefully eliminated impending confusion, and restored it to an effective defensive force. The 38th Infantry Regiment, under the gallant leadership of Colonel Coughlin, inflicted thousands of casualties upon the enemy and disrupted the offensive which the opposition had launched with the intention of annihilating the Second Division. On 22 May, the regiment, under Colonel Coughlin’s skillful direction, counterattacked the enemy forces, surprising them and forcing them to withdraw after suffering heavy losses. As a result of this successful counterattack, the initiative was fully restored to our forces. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Colonel Coughlin on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.