The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Wayne M. Cargill (MCSN: 0-6145), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Marine Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMA-121) in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 16 November 1952. Acting as Tactical Air Controller Airborne during a massed aerial assault on an enemy hydroelectric installation near Chungnim, Lieutenant Colonel Cargill skillfully coordinated and directed thirty-two fighter-bomber aircraft and twenty-two attack aircraft in attacks against the heavily defended enemy target. Despite the intense and accurate hostile anti-aircraft fire, he remained over the area for forty-five minutes and effectively controlled the attacking flights, resulting in the destruction of one hydroelectric plant, a transformer yard, a power substation and six buildings. When the strike group retired, he escorted his wingman in low-level photographic reconnaissance and, when enemy fire severely damaged the photographic plane and forced the pilot to land in the Sea of Japan, calmly and efficiently directed rescue facilities to the downed pilot’s location, thereby greatly aiding in the safe recovery of the stricken pilot. His superb airmanship, courageous initiative and unwavering devotion to duty reflect great credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Cargill and the United States Naval Service.