The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Ernest W. Payne (MCSN: 0-31044), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Battery G, Third Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 7 December 1950. Immediately rallying his battery which had suffered heavy casualties from intense hostile mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire, Captain Payne redeployed his howitzers in strategic positions and directed effective counterfire which inflicted heavy casualties and repelled the enemy attack. Fearlessly and repeatedly exposing himself to hostile fire throughout the action, he was primarily responsible for the success of his unit in preventing the almost certain annihilation of a large truck convoy stopped opposite his battery’s position and the establishment of an enemy roadblock which would have cut off the major portion of the division from its objective. His skilled leadership, indomitable courage and inspiring devotion to duty reflect great credit upon Captain Payne and the United States Naval Service.