The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Jose Levi Gonzales (MCSN: 1192989), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gun Squad Leader of Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 9 – 10 September 1952. When the forward element of his unit made contact with the enemy in a deep gap along a ridge, Sergeant Gonzales, realizing that the complexity of the terrain precluded the use of his machine gun, quickly instructed two men to remain with the weapon to establish rear security and rushed forward with the remainder of his squad to assist his beleaguered comrades. Bravely exposing himself to enemy automatic weapons fire from the surrounding hills, he climbed out of the gully and moved directly toward the hostile position while firing his weapon. Although severely wounded when struck down by a hail of enemy fire, Sergeant Gonzales quickly regained his feet and valiantly continued to fire upon the enemy until he again fell and later succumbed to his wounds. By his daring initiative, outstanding courage and selfless actions in behalf of his comrades, Sergeant Gonzales was directly instrumental in preventing the enemy from initiating a flank attack upon his unit, thereby saving the lives of many of his fellow Marines and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.