The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Hunt S. Kerrigan (MCSN: 0-55816), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Commander of Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 2 December 1952. Volunteering to lead a reconnaissance patrol deep into enemy territory, Second Lieutenant Kerrigan immediately proceeded to reconnoiter an attack route for future use by his platoon. Informed that the point man of the patrol had been hit by enemy fire, he unhesitatingly advanced in the face of heavy automatic weapons and mortar fire to the forward point of the patrol. With his men providing covering fire, he crawled towards the stricken man and removed him down the slope of the hill through a withering hail of enemy automatic weapons fire. Although painfully wounded placing the casualty in a comfortable position, he refused to be evacuated and, in company with another Marine, remained in the area for approximately one hour to cover the evacuation of the casualty, fighting off several fanatical enemy attacks before he was subsequently evacuated to safety. By his inspiring leadership, courageous initiative and selfless efforts in behalf of another, Second Lieutenant Kerrigan was instrumental in saving the life of the wounded Marine and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.