The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Louis J. Sartor (MCSN: 0-22584), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company I, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 24 – 25 July 1953. Assigned the mission of reinforcing another company that was engaged in close combat with a numerically superior enemy force far forward of the main line of resistance, Captain Sartor skillfully led his company over an unfamiliar route through a devastating barrage of enemy mortar and artillery fire to the objective. Although painfully wounded and despite the numerous casualties sustained by his unit, he arrived with his company in time to attack, break the enemy assault and regain control of the vital position. Assuming overall command, he launched a counterattack which restored critical areas and regained the tactical superiority. Continually moving from one position to another, he proceeded to reorganize the defense, organizing and supervising parties to recover, repair and re-issue weapons, move ammunition and grenades to forward positions, and carry the wounded to evacuation points. By his inspiring leadership, courageous initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Captain Sartor contributed in large measure to the success of the battalion’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.