The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Donell O. Crowder (MCSN: 1260263), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 20 June 1952. Voluntarily leaving his combat outpost which was surrounded by hostile troops, Private First Class Crowder assisted a Corpsman in reaching three wounded Marines in a valley seven hundred yards away and, after directing the two walking wounded men to the outpost, aided the Corpsman in carrying the third Marine, who was severely wounded. Pinned down by enemy automatic weapons fire on four different occasions, he provided covering fire for the Corpsman and the wounded Marine and succeeded in reaching the outpost where he assisted the Corpsman in treating five casualties. By his exceptional courage and determination in the face of hostile fire, Private First Class Crowder served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.