The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Joseph P. Connelly (MCSN: 556636), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Sergeant of Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 2 June 1951. Participating in the company attack on strong enemy positions, Sergeant Connelly assumed a position with the lead machine gun section and repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to select targets and control the fire of his guns. When one of the assaulting riflemen was seriously wounded and fell in an exposed area, Sergeant Connelly immediately rushed forward and proceeded to carry his comrade to safety. Although painfully wounded by heavy enemy fire, he refused medical attention and, returning to his section, again exposed himself to hostile fire to move along the line for three and one half hours and encourage his men before he submitted to evacuation. By his skilled leadership, courageous initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Sergeant Connelly served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.