The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class David Martinez (MCSN: 1107585), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman of Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 22 April 1951. Participating in the defense against a night attack by a hostile force of estimated battalion strength, Private First Class Martinez constantly exposed himself to a withering hail of enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire to supervise and consolidate the defensive fire of his unit. Calmly directing the team in delivering effective fire on the hostile force, he moved from man to man, encouraging them by his own example while actively participating in the fire fight. When a member of his squad became a casualty, Private First Class Martinez dashed forward to his fallen comrade, drove the close-in enemy back with hand grenades and succeeded in carrying the wounded Marine to the safety of friendly lines. By his valiant fighting spirit, indomitable courage and selfless devotion to duty, Private First Class Martinez served to inspire all who observed him and was directly instrumental in saving the life of the wounded man, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.