The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Homer R. Penn (MCSN: 1114781), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 28 and 29 November 1950. With his squad nearly overrun and its ranks badly depleted when a large enemy force attacked the company defense position during the hours of darkness, Private First Class Penn fearlessly exposed himself to devastating hostile automatic weapons, hand grenade and small arms fire to reorganize his unit and effectively directed its fire, forcing the enemy to withdraw and maintaining the integrity of the position. Although painfully wounded on the following morning while personally leading his men in the assault on a strongly defended enemy position, he refused medical aid and, continuing forward through withering enemy fire, directed the seizure of the objective. Only after he had directed the establishment of the defense did he consent to be evacuated. By his skilled leadership, courageous initiative and inspiring devotion to duty, Private First Class Penn contributed materially to the success achieved by the company and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.