The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Gilbert H. Holmes (MCSN: 0-51476), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Sniper Platoon Commander of Weapons Company, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 2 June 1951. With the infantry company to which he was attached temporarily halted by a devastating shower of hostile hand grenades thrown from an enemy emplacement on commanding ground, Second Lieutenant Holmes unhesitatingly left his position with the leading elements of the assault forces and fearlessly advanced through a hail of exploding grenades toward the enemy position. Although painfully wounded twice, he gallantly charged into the entrance of the emplacement and, despite partial blindness from a third wound, moved forward to kill the enemy occupant, thereby enabling the company to advance and secure its objective. By his indomitable fighting spirit, exceptional fortitude and unyielding devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Holmes contributed in large measure to the success of the company’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.