The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Gerard T. Armitage (MCSN: 0-8992), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 13 to 17 August 1952. Assigned the mission of defending a strong point which had recently been captured from numerically superior forces, Lieutenant Colonel Armitage carried out trips to his most forward units and, in the face of intense enemy mortar, artillery and small arms fire, efficiently directed activities. Despite long, tedious hours, he continually moved from one unit to another in his battalion, lending words of encouragement to his men, organizing and deploying his troops and evacuating the wounded. Displaying an excellent knowledge of military tactics, he effectively maneuvered his units and quickly established defensive positions, enabling his men to inflict devastating losses upon the enemy and repel fanatical counterattacks. By his exceptional leadership, outstanding courage and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Armitage served to inspire the men under his command and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.