The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Arthur Dannell Challacombe, Jr. (MCSN: 0-23107), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Artillery Officer of Battery K, Fourth Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 1 and 2 December 1950. Assigned the mission of establishing a rear guard at Yudam-ni after taking command of a hastily formed provisional infantry company consisting of artillerymen, Captain Challacombe quickly reconnoitered over enemy terrain where friendly forces were in contact with the enemy, and returned to guide his company to the perimeter, personally directing the emplacement of his automatic weapons to protect the front of an adjacent company which was depleted by casualties and was without adequate automatic fire power. When his company and the adjacent unit came under heavy attack during the night by an enemy force employing hand grenades and small arms fire at close range, he moved among his troops to lend them words of encouragement, personally directed their fire and kept them moving to prevent frostbite in the sub-zero weather. With the hostile force launching a fanatic all-out charge as morning approached, he placed his weapons in effective positions, skillfully directed the fire of his men and succeeded in disrupting the attack and in pursuing the opposition in a counterattack, accounting for n estimated 300 enemy dead. By his inspiring leadership, sound tactical ability and aggressive fighting spirit, Captain Challacombe upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.