The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospitalman Third Class Eldon Ralston, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Medical Corpsman with a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein), FMF, in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, on 28 March 1953. While advancing with his company toward an outpost position to commence an assault, Hospitalman Third Class Ralston discovered numerous wounded men from other companies lying around the battlefield. Ignoring his own painful wounds, he courageously moved about through murderous hostile mortar and artillery fire to administer aid to the stricken men. Discovering one seriously wounded Marine who required immediate evacuation, he fearlessly carried him several hundred yards back to a check-point aid station and, after receiving treatment himself, refused evacuation in order to return to his company, which was engaged in the second assault on the outpost. Immediately after joining the unit, he moved through a devastating enemy barrage, rendering aid to his wounded comrades until forced to discontinue his efforts due to his own loss of blood. By his exceptional courage, fortitude and indomitable spirit, Hospitalman Third Class Ralston served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.