The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Jewell Dwain Coquat (MCSN: 659662), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifle Platoon Sergeant of Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 26 November 1950. With the forward elements of his platoon pinned down by enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire while conducting a patrol mission, Corporal Coquat unhesitatingly led the support and machine gun section through intense hostile fire to a favorable striking position and, directing an accurate and effective barrage against the attackers, succeeded in gaining fire superiority and in driving them from their positions. When his platoon commander was fatally struck down during a counterattack from the front and flank of his sector by a numerically superior enemy, he immediately reorganized the depleted units and led them in a brilliantly executed maneuver to hold off the overwhelming force. Mortally wounded during the furious action, Corporal Coquat, by his daring initiative, courageous leadership and unrelenting devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, inspired others to heroic efforts in substantially repelling the attack and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.