The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Magdaleno Aguirre (MCSN: 1179883), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gun Squad Leader of Company H, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 13 August 1952. With his squad engaged in defending a strategic sector of the company front on the forward slope of a hill when a numerically superior hostile force assaulted the position supported by intense mortar and artillery fire, Corporal Aguirre expertly directed his machine-gun squad in delivering effective fire at point-blank range upon the attackers, inflicting numerous casualties upon them. When devastating mortar and artillery fire burst near the position, knocked over the gun and severely dazed the crew, Corporal Aguirre, although suffering from the effects of concussion himself, bravely rallied his men and directed them in setting up the gun a short distance away in a new position from which they could inflict further casualties upon the enemy. After intense hostile mortar fire had blown the tripod down the hill as the machine gun was being moved to another position, he fearlessly exposed himself to the enemy barrage to retrieve the tripod and bring it back up the hill. By his courageous leadership, resolute determination and aggressive fighting spirit, Corporal Aguirre served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.