The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Gale M. Coultard (MCSN: 1185671), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman of Company G, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 20 March 1953. Participating in the defense of a vital outpost far forward of the main line of resistance when he noticed that a comrade on his flank was subjected to a deadly concentration of enemy small arms and grenade fire, Private First Class Coultard shifted his fire in an effort to divert the hostile fire and, observing that the Marine failed to see an enemy grenade which had fallen near him, bravely dived over the deadly missile, protecting his comrade from the blast by knocking him down and covering him with his own body. After checking the man’s wounds and finding them slight, Private First Class Coultard unhesitatingly returned to his fighting position and continued to engage the enemy, although he, himself, was stunned by the explosion of the grenade. By his outstanding courage, aggressive fighting spirit and self-sacrificing efforts in behalf of another, he served to inspire all who observed him. His heroic actions and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon Private First Class Coultard and the United States Naval Service.