The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Ernest S. Lee (MCSN: 0-44367), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 9 May 1952. Although subjected to heavy enemy artillery, mortar and small arms fire during a tank supported combat patrol deep in enemy territory, First Lieutenant Lee positioned his command group close behind the leading platoon and aggressively directed a successful attack against a numerically superior, well-entrenched hostile force. When his unit was subjected to a series of well coordinated and heavily supported counterattacks, he skillfully directed the defense and often directly engaged the enemy. During the withdrawal, he supervised the movement of his company and was one of the last to leave the position. By his outstanding leadership, marked courage and unwavering devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Lee upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.