The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry), [then Lieutenant Colonel] John Garnett Coughlin (ASN: 0-18898), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 2 September 1950 in the Naktong River Salient, Korea. On 2 September 1950, Colonel Coughlin observed the enemy trying to establish a road block with the intent of cutting off communications between the regiment and one of its battalions. There being no friendly infantry in the vicinity, he assumed command of a tank section and directed the movement of the tanks against the enemy. Colonel Coughlin, realizing that the vision available through the periscope of the leader’s hatch was limited, exposed himself to the heavy small arms, grenade and anti-tank fire to direct his tanks, thereby reducing the road block and reestablishing communications with the battalion without infantry support. The gallantry displayed by Colonel Coughlin on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.