The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospitalman Third Class Donald C. Prindle, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Medical Corpsman with a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Korea, on 25 June 1951. Hospital Corpsman Third Class Prindle displayed great personal bravery and devotion to duty while the platoon to which he was attached was on a reconnaissance patrol. When a Marine was wounded by a land mine, he immediately and with complete disregard for his own safety rushed into the mined area to aid the painfully wounded man. Another mine three feet away exploded and severely wounded him, but he refused medical attention and continued treating his patient despite his injured arm and lacerated face. While returning to friendly lines, he maintained a constant vigil by the side of the wounded Marine over a route of 1,500 yards of terrain swept by enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Only after the platoon had reached relative safety and obtained medical aid, did he permit himself to be evacuated. Hospital Corpsman Third Class Prindle’s heroic actions served as an inspiration to all members of the command, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.