The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Philip L. Crawford (MCSN: 0-7004), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Pilot and Commanding Officer of Marine Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMA-121), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, on 2 September 1952. As leader of a flight of twelve aircraft, Lieutenant Colonel Crawford was assigned a mission to attack and destroy a heavily defended concentration of enemy vehicles and supplies near Koksana, and to destroy the roads adjacent to that area. In the face of intense, hostile anti-aircraft and automatic weapons fire, he led his flight in a carefully planned and deftly executed dive-bombing attack, resulting in the destruction of the objective. By his skilled airmanship, cool courage, and effective leadership, Lieutenant Colonel Crawford contributed greatly to the success of this mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.