The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Jeffrey Lynn Kirk, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as First Squad Leader, Third Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 10 November 2004. While Sergeant Kirk and his squad gained entry into a building, insurgents threw a grenade from a room containing a hardened machine gun position. Sergeant Kirk quickly organized and led Marines from multiple squads across an open courtyard to eliminate the threat. Effective enemy small arms fire forced him and the other Marines to withdraw to a covered position while returning fire with grenades and small arms. Unfazed, Sergeant Kirk re-grouped his men behind cover and attacked the building a second time. Although wounded as he approached the position, he continued to attack by throwing a grenade into the room and then eliminating the enemy machine gunner with a rifle. Enemy fire and grenades again erupted from the same room. Sergeant Kirk and the Marines withdrew once more, throwing grenades in their wake. Refusing medical attention, he remained as the point man and led the Marines in for a third assault on the enemy position. He quickly overwhelmed and destroyed the remaining insurgents, clearing the building to the roof. His extraordinary actions in the face of great danger destroyed a key defensive position and prevented the enemy from inflicting serious casualties on other Marines. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Sergeant Kirk reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.