The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Oscar A. Powell (MCSN: 181836), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Military Police Company, Headquarters Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 7 December 1950. When the convoy to which he was attached as a noncommissioned officer in charge of a section of Headquarters and Service personnel was ambushed by a numerically superior hostile force during the movement from Hagaru-ri to Koto-ri, Master Sergeant Powell promptly organized and deployed the members of the column in a defense line along the road. Continually exposing himself to direct hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire in an area illuminated by burning trucks in order to insure the supply of ammunition to units along the line, he boldly moved from man to man, offering words of encouragement, directing effective fire and reorganizing the defense as casualties occurred. Although wounded himself during the furious encounter, he twice risked his life to cross a fire-swept area and evacuate two wounded Marines to positions of comparative safety. By his dauntless perseverance, fortitude and grave concern for others in the face of heavy odds, Master Sergeant Powell contributed materially to the repelling of the onslaught and to the successful arrival of the convoy at its destination. His heroic actions throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.