The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Gaylen F. Rohwer (MCSN: 516324), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner in Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 24 September 1950. When the pintle to his heavy machine gun became lost, Corporal Rohwer courageously assumed an exposed position and, placing the water jacket on his leg, held on to the pistol grip and allowed the belt to feed under his left arm. In this difficult and vulnerable position, he fired more than four belts against the enemy, destroying six of them and wounding an unknown number. After his gun jammed due to excessive heat, Corporal Rohwer, with some help, mounted the gun with a make-shift pintle on a tripod and put the weapon back in action. Mortally wounded while firing on the enemy, Corporal Rohwer, by his heroic action and cool initiative in the face of grave peril, served as an inspiration to his companions and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.