The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Joseph A. Reagan (MCSN: 0-45906), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 16 September 1951. When the platoon commander became a casualty during the assault against a heavily fortified enemy hill position, First Lieutenant Reagan immediately assumed command of the attacking platoon. Skillfully maneuvering his depleted unit in the face of devastating enemy fire, he bravely led his men forward and succeeded in neutralizing key hostile bunkers. When another platoon passed through his area to continue the attacks, he quickly relinquished command of his unit to the company gunnery sergeant and joined the new platoon. Aggressively charging forward through withering enemy fire, he initiated a daring one-man assault against a bunker and single-handedly neutralized the hostile position with hand grenades. Assisting materially in coordinating the efforts of the platoon in completely securing the objective, First Lieutenant Reagan, by his inspiring leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, contributed materially to the success of his company’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.