The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Jett T. Ford, Jr. (MCSN: 0-53246), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Commander of Company H, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 24 November 1952. When a patrol of his unit was under attack by enemy forces, Second Lieutenant Ford voluntarily led a reinforcing and evacuation group to the besieged men and skillfully directed and supervised the expeditious evacuation of casualties, calling in and adjusting friendly artillery and mortar fire to protect the position. Informed that two Marines were still unaccounted for, he refused to return to the outpost until he had conducted a thorough search for the missing men. During the search, one enemy soldier was killed while attempting to remove one of the dead Marines. After successfully locating both missing casualties, Second Lieutenant Ford held the patrol intact to remove all friendly and enemy equipment and weapons and, only when daylight made his location untenable, returned to the combat outpost. By his inspiring leadership, aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Ford contributed materially to the success of the patrol and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.