The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Samuel F. Martin (MCSN: 0-27068), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6) in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 7 October 1951. Volunteering to fly his slow, unarmed observation plane over a sector where a fierce battle was in progress, Captain Martin bravely searched the area at extremely low altitude during a heavy artillery barrage in an effort to locate a downed airman. Undeterred by intense enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire, he continued his search until he had spotted the downed pilot and carried out a series of daring low-level passes over the hostile positions to draw the enemy’s fire away from a rescue helicopter operating at the scene. When the helicopter failed in its efforts to pick up the airman, Captain Martin continued to cover the area and, although subjected to persistent hostile fire, attempted to direct a rescue patrol to the downed aviator. Observing a group of the enemy preparing to ambush the rescue party, he immediately warned the patrol of the impending danger, enabling the friendly force to deploy without suffering casualties. Continuing his mission until darkness forced him to return to his base, Captain Martin, by his exceptional courage, superb airmanship and selfless efforts in behalf of a fellow aviator, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.