The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Almond H. Sollom (MCSN: 0-24382), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of Weapons Company, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 19 September 1950. When a group of by-passed hostile troops opened fire in him while he was reconnoitering for advance mortar positions, Captain Sollom, together with the company gunnery sergeant, immediately engaged the enemy soldiers, killing four and capturing twelve and, despite hostile mortar and small arms fire, delivered the prisoners to the company area. Later, he organized and led a patrol back to the scene of action to engage the remainder of the enemy force, thereby materially aiding his company in successfully displacing forward and supporting the continuation of the attack. By his marked courage, brilliant leadership and devotion to duty, Captain Sollom upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.