The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Sumner E. Nichols (MCSN: 327183), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company D, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 31 May 1952. Moving his squad forward through intense hostile small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire, Sergeant Nichols led his unit to within a few yards of hostile positions where it became pinned down by a coordinated barrage of hand grenades. Directing the fire of his squad, he began hurling grenades at the enemy and, although wounded, proceeded to reorganize his unit, moving his squad to better positions to cover the evacuation of the wounded. Receiving the order to withdraw to friendly lines, he was preparing to move his squad when he learned that a machine gun had been left on the slope of the enemy position. Aided my another Marine, he courageously returned to the slope and, under withering hostile fire, crossed barbed wire to recover the weapon. By his exceptional courage, initiative and unyielding devotion to duty, Sergeant Nichols served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.