The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Douglas K. Morton (MCSN: 0-18633), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Aerial Observer attached to Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 30 November 1950. Flying an observation mission in an unmarked plane in support of the Division movement from Yudam-ni to Hagaru-ri, Captain Morton succeeded in locating approximately 400 of the enemy entrenched on a high ridge and waiting to ambush friendly troops. Pinpointing the exact location of the enemy, he immediately warned the advancing forces and radioed for close support aircraft. When the planes arrived at the scene, his pilot promptly executed several low altitude dives over the hostile positions allowing him to mark the targets with smoke grenades. With the plane damaged by ground fire on each consecutive run and the glass canopy destroyed in a low dive over a machine gun emplacement, he and his pilot dauntlessly remained over the area despite the condition of the aircraft until the last plane had expended its ammunition and the emplacements had been neutralized. By his skill, perseverance and daring tactics at great personal risk, Captain Morton contributed directly to the successful movement of the convoy to its destination and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.