The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Willie Ingram, Jr. (MCSN: 384104), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifle Platoon Sergeant of Company D, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 6 March 1951. When the company was subjected to heavy enemy automatic weapons fire during an attack against a well-fortified hill position, and the platoon to which he was attached encountered even more devastating fire upon securing an intermediate objective, Staff Sergeant Ingram bravely remained in an exposed position to direct the machine gun section in delivering fire upon the enemy entrenchments. Although suffering a serious and painful gunshot wound during the course of the battle, he courageously refused medical attention and continued to direct the supporting fires until the assault elements had seized the objective. By his marked courage, skill and unswerving devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Ingram served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.