The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Howard J. Connolly (MCSN: 0-44276), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company I, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 12 and 13 August 1952. Assigned the mission of freeing a beleaguered company isolated on a forward outpost and under heavy enemy bombardment, Captain Connolly led his unit to the position through intense hostile small arms, artillery and mortar fire and, despite increasing darkness, quickly reorganized his company and established a sound perimeter defense. With a numerically superior enemy force estimated at regiment strength hurling a fanatical series of assaults at the outpost, he skillfully directed his men in delivering effective counterfire and, although the hostile troops succeeded in penetrating the perimeter several times, continued the defensive action for a period of over eight hours. When the enemy finally began to withdraw in defeat, he again reorganized the company and dispatched strong patrols forward to sweep the remaining hostile survivors from the ridge. By his valiant fighting spirit, determined leadership and unswerving devotion to duty while under constant enemy fire, Captain Connolly served to inspire all who observed him and was greatly instrumental in the success of the mission, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.