The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Willard A. Covert (MCSN: 1114609), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Sergeant of Company G, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 24 – 25 July 1953. Although seriously wounded by hostile small arms fire while courageously leading a counterattack against a numerically superior enemy force that had gained access to the trench line during an attack on his company’s sector of the main line of resistance, Staff Sergeant Covert refused evacuation and fearlessly engaged the opposing forces in bitter hand-to-hand fighting until the severity of his wounds forced him to desist. Unable to continue fighting in close combat, he remained with his men to direct their fire and encourage them, materially aiding his unit in forcing the enemy to withdraw from the position. By his indomitable fighting spirit, marked fortitude and unyielding devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Covert served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.