The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Robert L. Larson (MCSN: 1172706), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Fire Team Leader of Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 16 April 1952. When a numerically superior hostile force rushed through gaps in the breached barbed wire to viciously attack his outpost position, Corporal Larson deployed his fire team to direct withering counterfire upon the enemy. With the attackers surrounding his unit on three sides, he hurled grenades at the hostile force and, although wounded in the arm, continued to throw the deadly missiles until again wounded by an enemy grenade. Unhesitatingly taking command when the squad leader was killed, Corporal Larson skillfully effected the withdrawal of the remainder of the unit to a newly organized platoon defense perimeter while under continuous hostile fire and carried one wounded comrade up a hill t the new position despite the suffering from his own painful wounds. By his outstanding courage, resourcefulness and self-sacrificing devotion to duty, corporal Larson contributed materially to the successful reorganization of the defense forces and to repelling numerous enemy assaults throughout the night until the exhausted hostile troops were forced to withdraw. His heroic leadership was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.