The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Howard B. Zeagler (MCSN: 598852), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Battery K, Fourth Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 4 December 1950. Although inexperienced as a tractor operator, Corporal Zeagler exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to man and operate an abandoned vehicle whose driver had been wounded during a hostile ambush. Fearlessly driving through fire-swept area, he returned to friendly lines where he picked up critically needed fuel for delivery to the ambush area and, when the operator of another tractor was wounded, boarded the second vehicle and again drove through intense fire to friendly lines. By his daring initiative, cool courage and heroic actions at great risk to his own life, Corporal Zeagler was responsible for preventing two of his battalion’s howitzers from falling into enemy hands, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.