The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) John F. Beesmer (ASN: 0-1338549), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 15 January 1951, Company C had the mission of moving north of Miyang, Korea, to contact the enemy. Reaching Kumyangjang-ni, the company was in the process of searching the town, when the enemy attacked with mortars, machine guns and small arms. Lieutenant Beesmer and his radio operator were immediately pinned down. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he ran through a devastating hail of enemy fire to a platoon of tanks and guided it into firing position. As the tanks approached the 1st Platoon’s position, he found it completely pinned down and threatened with being overrun. Finding a rocket launcher team he directed fire on an enemy machine gun emplacement, moving from man to man to indicate targets. Although under fire, he carried two wounded men to positions of safety. Receiving orders to withdraw, Lieutenant Beesmer, still under mortar fire, calmly directed the withdrawal to a waiting convoy of trucks. When mortar fire fell on the truck column, he ordered all men to take cover, but he remained with a truck that had been hit and removed one wounded and one dead soldier to another truck for evacuation. The gallantry and outstanding aggressiveness of Lieutenant Beesmer reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.