The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Bennie M. Gooden (MCSN: 1177335), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 26 – 27 October 1952. When the right flank of the platoon was pinned down by devastating enemy machine-gun fire from a position on the high ground during a platoon counterattack against a strongly defended hill, Private First Class Gooden unhesitatingly left his position of comparative safety and, in company with another Marine, raced over seventy-five yards through the intense fire. Firing his automatic rifle with deadly effect as he advanced, he succeeded in accounting for one enemy dead and in routing the remaining hostile troops. Painfully wounded by enemy fire, Private First Class Gooden, by his aggressive fighting spirit, courageous initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.