The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Marshall Wolcott Stark (ASN: 0-25294), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of Company E, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 30 November 1950 in the vicinity of Kunu-ri, Korea. On the morning of that date his company was involved in an operation to break through an enemy road block that was approximately five miles in depth. He deployed his troops and then joined his battalion commander. When an enemy machine gun suddenly began firing into the right flank of the position, Captain Stark moved around the side of a hill with a 57-mm. recoilless rifle in an attempt to neutralize the enemy gun. Before he could put his piece into operation, he was subjected to heavy automatic weapons fire from a well-concealed enemy position. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he remained exposed to the intense hostile fire and succeeded in destroying the enemy emplacement. This gallant action eliminated a threat to the right flank and prevented serious casualties from being inflicted upon his unit. The gallantry and high devotion to duty displayed by Captain Stark on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.