The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Billie K. Pool (MCSN: 585056), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner of Weapons Company, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 1 December 1950. Assigned the mission of covering a trail leading into his company’s position when an estimated hostile regiment attacked in force with small arms, machine guns, mortars and hand grenades, Private First Class Pool observed approximately 150 of the enemy advancing up the trail as the attack developed and, holding his fire to prevent disclosing his gun position, waited until the leading elements approached to within thirty yards of his sector before opening fire. When his gun failed to function in the bitter cold after the first round, he applied immediate action five times and, as the enemy closed to within ten feet of his position, succeeded in working the bolt to allow the machine gun to operate sufficiently to inflict severe casualties on the closing enemy and force them to disperse. Quickly reorganizing before a second attempt was made to penetrate the line and after his assistant gunner had been killed when the enemy poured direct fire into his position, Private First Class Pool staunchly remained in position alone, without relief, and fought off repeated assaults, loading and operating the gun without assistance, remedying many difficult stoppages and delivering deadly fire against the attackers throughout the remainder of the night. At daybreak when the enemy withdrew, 51 enemy dead were in front of his position. By his superb skill and daring, fortitude and cool courage against tremendous odds, Private First Class Pool contributed to the successful repulse of the strong hostile attack, and his heroic efforts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.