The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Gerald D. Schultz (MCSN: 548278), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Section Leader of a Heavy Machine Gun Section of Weapons Company, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 1 September 1951. When his platoon leader became a casualty during an attack by a numerically superior enemy force, Staff Sergeant Schultz reorganized his men and those of nearby friendly units and placed the troops at strategic points in a hasty defense maneuver, thereby preventing the enemy from overrunning the area. Although suffering a severe head wound, he skillfully directed his section in delivering counterfire on the attackers and remained at his position until the hostile force was decisively defeated. By his marked courage, aggressive fighting spirit and gallant devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Schultz served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.