John T. Curley

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to John T. Curley (1331353), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Korea, on 26 – 27 March 1953. Serving as an automatic rifleman, Private First Class Curley displayed outstanding courage, initiative and devotion to duty. The unit of which he was a member was pinned down by devastating hostile fire during a counterattack on a vital enemy-held outpost position. Expressing complete disregard for his personal safety, he courageously raced to the forward elements of the unit to assist in gaining fire superiority over the enemy. Several times when he exhausted his ammunition, he obtained more from his injured comrades and continued firing. For a period of five and a half hours, he fearlessly exposed himself to intense enemy fire in order to bring his weapon to bear with deadly accuracy. When his unit was relieved from the action, he remained to assist in the evacuation of the wounded and refused to leave the area until he was assured that all of his comrades had been removed to safety. He withdrew from the scene of action in the rear guard in order to cover the unit with his weapon. Private First Class Curley’s gallant and courageously actions together with his indomitable spirit served as an inspiration to all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.