The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Ernest P. Skelt, Jr. (MCSN: 0-42317), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Officer in Charge of a Four-man Demolition Team of Company A, First Engineer Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 7 December 1950. After all friendly forces had cleared the town of Hagaru-ri, First Lieutenant Skelt bravely led his men in the destruction of a large concrete bridge, many buildings and other facilities and, with the enemy entering the far end of the city, remained at his post until the rear elements of friendly forces had safely cleared to a point several hundred yards distant before he detonated the last of the explosive charges. Working far to the rear under enemy fire and, on occasion, out of sight of the friendly rear guard throughout a dangerous sixteen hours, he repeatedly disregarded enemy small arms and mortar fire and the possibility of contact with numerically superior hostile troops to carry out his mission and delay the advance of the aggressors. His inspiring leadership, courage and unrelenting devotion to duty in the face of grave peril reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Skelt and the United States Naval Service.