The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Rayman Gregory Heiple (MCSN: 0-36280), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMA-212), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 2 May 1953. Participating in the covering of a downed Marine aviator and observer who were surrounded by enemy troops deep in hostile territory, First Lieutenant Heiple carried out a series of daring bombing assaults at minimum altitude to suppress the fire directed at the downed crew. Although his aircraft was seriously damaged by enemy fire, he skillfully maneuvered at low level through the precipitous terrain and scored direct bomb hits on the enemy’s positions. After expending his external ordnance, he gallantly conducted low-level runs in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and, despite the increasingly accurate fire that was bursting all around his faltering aircraft, remained in the area until weather conditions forced the flight to withdraw. By his superb airmanship, courageous initiative and resourcefulness, First Lieutenant Heiple was largely responsible for the success of a mission that inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and suppressed hostile ground fire directed at the downed man. His unwavering devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.