The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel James W. Poindexter (MCSN: 0-7009), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Pilot and Commanding Officer of Marine Fighter Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN (VMF-214), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 14 August 1951. When an all out raid was planned against the enemy capital city of Pyongyang, a hostile stronghold situated at the extreme range of his aircraft, Lieutenant Colonel Poindexter meticulously briefed the squadron for the mission and, flying in reduced visibility and over mountainous terrain, led his thirty-four plane flight to the target area. Although the objective was completely blanketed with cloud cover, he expertly maneuvered his planes in the face of intense fire from heavy caliber hostile anti-aircraft weapons and, locating a gap in the overcast, initiated a series of daring low-level attacks, personally scoring a direct hit on the target. By his courageous leadership, exceptional ability as an airman and loyal devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Poindexter greatly aided his squadron in destroying an enemy railway bridge and many warehouses containing vital supplies, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.