The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Otto E. Marschke (ASN: RA-12411659), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On the night of 2 June and during the early morning hours of 3 June 1953, in the vicinity of Pung-Myon, Korea, a patrol of Company B, 1st Battalion, had the mission of establishing a listening post several hundred yards beyond the friendly outpost. As the group reached its destination, they suddenly observed a numerically superior enemy patrol moving toward the friendly lines. Private Marschke, an automatic rifleman, immediately maneuvered into position and opened fire, inflicting numerous enemy casualties. Throughout the ensuing fire fight, he heroically moved about the shell torn terrain to gain a vantage point from where he could direct his line of fire into the enemy ranks. When the patrol prepared to return to the friendly outpost, Private Marschke, though under intense grenade and small arms fire, remained in his position and covered the retrograde movement of his comrades. He remained at his post until assured that all the men were safe and then returned to friendly lines. Private Marschke’s outstanding gallantry and untiring devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.