The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Joseph A. Urban (MCSN: 654598), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Fire Team Leader of Company D, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 5 February 1951. When an enemy force launched a savage attack against his fire team positioned on a low ridge, Corporal Urban repeatedly braved intense hostile small arms and grenade fire to personally engage the enemy and direct the fire of his men. As the numerically superior hostile force advanced to within a few yards of his position, he ordered his men to fix bayonets and led a vigorous charge to completely rout the enemy. By his outstanding courage and daring leadership, Corporal Urban was directly instrumental in killing fourteen hostile soldiers, and his zealous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.