The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Robert Joseph O’Shea (MCSN: 0-48902), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Aerial Observer in an unarmed Observation Plane attached to Headquarters Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, on 3 December 1950. Spotting approximately three companies of hostile troops waiting to ambush friendly units during the movement of the FIRST Marine Division from Yudam-ni to Hagaru-ri, First Lieutenant O’Shea, although fully aware of the unavailability of close support aircraft and of the lack of sufficient artillery ammunition to conduct an effective attack, requested his radio control party to notify the heavy mortar section that he would mark the enemy positions by dropping smoke grenades and adjust the mortar fire by relaying radio messages. When hostile automatic-weapons fire struck his plane and the engine failed, the pilot succeeded in gliding to the temporary airstrip at Hagaru-ri where he could repair the damaged craft. After the weather had cleared sufficiently to allow close support aircraft to reach the area, First Lieutenant O’Shea contacted the flight and gain flew in through the intense fire to mark the targets for the strike. By his daring tactics and cool courage throughout the action, he contributed materially to the success of the Division in reaching its destination and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.