The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Lester F. Reid (MCSN: 0-47667), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Aerial Observer of an unarmed Observation Plane while attached to the Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 3 December 1950. Locating five hostile strong points heavily armed and manned to ambush friendly units during the movement of the FIRST Marine Division from Yudam-ni to Hagaru-ri, First Lieutenant Reid immediately radioed the location of the enemy and informed the advancing column that he would endeavor to neutralize the emplacements by air strikes. After contacting and briefing close support aircraft, he executed low altitude dives, dropped smoke grenades to pinpoint the positions and, following the completion of each strike, again flew in through heavy rifle and machine gun fire to mark each successive target. Despite damage to his plane by enemy fire, he persisted in his daring runs until all five positions were neutralized and the threat to advancing ground troops removed. His superb airmanship, daring tactics and cool courage at great risk to his own life reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Reid and the United States Naval Service.