The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Alfred F. McCaleb, Jr. (MCSN: 0-30869), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Navy Torpedo Bomber Plane in Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 7 December 1950. Notified of the critical need for the rapid evacuation of wounded Marine and Army personnel from an improvised air strip at Koto-ri, Captain McCaleb unhesitatingly volunteered to fly a newly acquired heavier aircraft in which three patients could be evacuated rather than one who could be brought out in the light observation type planes. Despite extremely adverse flying conditions, he completed one flight and, after observing the large number of patients awaiting evacuation, increased his patient load each flight until, by his sixth flight, nine patients per trip were being brought out. Although subjected to enemy fire, he continued his determined efforts, completing eleven round trips throughout the remainder of the day and brining seventy-six casualties to safety. By his superb airmanship, cool courage under fire and selfless efforts in behalf of others, Captain McCaleb served as an inspiration to all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.