The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Elliot L. Ackerman, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Platoon Commander, First Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, Eighth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, FIRST Marine Division in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II from 10 to 15 November 2004. During a ferocious enemy counter-attack in the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah, with complete disregard for his own safety, Second Lieutenant Ackerman twice exposed himself to vicious enemy fire as he pulled wounded Marines out of the open into shelter. When the amphibious tractors sent to evacuate his wounded men could not locate his position, he once again left the safety of his covered position and rushed through a gauntlet of deadly enemy fire to personally direct the amphibious tractors towards his wounded Marines. On 11 November as the battle continued, Second Lieutenant Ackerman recognized the exposed position of his Marines on the rooftops and ordered them to seek cover in the buildings below. Shortly afterwards, he personally assumed the uncovered rooftop position, prompting a hail of deadly fires from the enemy. With rounds impacting all around him, he coolly employed an M240G machine gun to mark targets for supporting tanks, with devastating effects on the enemy. Throughout the battle and despite his own painful shrapnel wounds, he simultaneously directed tank fires, coordinated four separate medical evacuations, and continually attacked with his platoon directly into the heart of the enemy with extreme tenacity. Second Lieutenant Ackerman’s bold leadership, personal initiative, and total devotion to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.