The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Manuel F. Gutierrez (MCSN: 446508), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Section Leader of an Anti-tank Platoon of Weapons Company, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces when his company was attacked by a hostile battalion supported by fierce mortar fire in Korea on 6 December 1950. Instructing his section to change its targets of fire after noting a change in the enemy’s route of attack which presented a serious threat, Sergeant Gutierrez unhesitatingly cradled a light machine gun in his arms and, despite heavy hostile fire, charged forward of the front lines, directing enfilade fire which killed at least ten of the attacking enemy. Realizing that the situation had reached very grave proportions, he remained exposed to intense hostile automatic weapons and grenade fire and continued to man his weapon until it jammed. His skilled leadership, aggressiveness and indomitable courage were contributing factors in the repulse of a vigorous enemy attack and reflect great credit upon Sergeant Gutierrez and the United States Naval Service.