The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Joe H. McGlothlin, Jr. (MCSN: 0-7445), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Plane and Commanding Officer of Marine Attack Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMA-312), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 14 January 1952. Leading his flight on a strike against a main enemy supply area located at Paegan-San, Lieutenant Colonel McGlothlin pressed home his initial attacks at extremely low altitude in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from strategic hostile gun positions on ridges surrounding the area, and scored direct hits on his objectives with 1,000-pound bombs. Although exposed to heavy enemy machine gun fire while recovering from his bombing runs, he carried out a series of daring rocket attacks with unerring accuracy, inflicting extensive damage within the target area. Wounded by the explosion when a hostile shell shattered the canopy of his aircraft, he quickly regained control of the crippled plane, proceeded to his home base and accomplished a safe landing on the airfield. By his outstanding courage, superb airmanship and unswerving devotion to the fulfillment of a vital mission, Lieutenant Colonel McGlothlin was directly instrumental in dealing a damaging blow to the enemy and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.