The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Russell W. McNutt (MCSN: 0-51611), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Attack Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMA-312), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 27 March 1952. Participating in an attack against an enemy supply route, Second Lieutenant McNutt aggressively pressed his assault and scored a direct hit on a hostile railroad. Observing that the flight leader was forced to bail out of his aircraft when it was hit by enemy fire, he skillfully lowered his landing gear and flaps and, despite multiple small arms fire, followed the parachuting pilot to mark his downed position. When his own plane was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire, and the downed airman was captured by two of the enemy, Second Lieutenant McNutt resolutely continued to carry out low firing passes over the area to discourage the hostile troops from leaving with their prisoner and, when the rescue helicopter arrived, directed it to the downed pilot. By his expert airmanship, outstanding courage and daring initiative in the face of grave personal risk, Second Lieutenant McNutt contributed materially to the liberation of his flight leader and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.