The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Jess E. Meado (MCSN: 1167536), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company G, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 17 – 18 April 1953. When an overwhelming hostile force launched a violent attack on his platoon-size patrol far forward of the main line of resistance under cover of darkness, mortally wounding the patrol leader, Sergeant Meado assumed command of the unit and, despite the heavy casualties sustained by the patrol, succeeded in keeping confusion to a minimum. Although painfully wounded, he reorganized the patrol and assigned sectors of fire to his men, bravely directing them in delivering devastating counterfire until the hostile troops were forced to withdraw. Because over half of his men were casualties, he organized the remainder of the unit into a perimeter of defense and, when help arrived, assisted in evacuating his wounded comrades, accepting medical treatment for his own wounds only after all his men had been given aid. By his gallant fighting spirit, daring initiative and unswerving devotion to duty, Sergeant Meado served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.