The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Private First Class Jerry L. Stricker (MCSN: 1137069), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a member of the Anti-tank Platoon, Weapons Company, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 17 May 1951. When a numerically superior enemy force attacked the platoon, overran its positions and gained control of the two key areas from which automatic weapons fire was poured on the platoon’s flanks, Private First Class Stricker, in company with another Marine, moved forward in the face of intense hostile fire in an attempt to regain one of the vital gun positions. Twice repelled by grenades, which wounded his comrade, Private First Class Stricker moved forward a third time under the covering fire of his squad and managed to get close enough to hurl a grenade into the hostile position and thereby neutralize it. Despite the hail of fire around him, he skillfully employed the enemy’s own weapon to knock out the other position, enabling his squad to regain fire superiority and to hold its sector of the line. By his marked courage, initiative and aggressive fighting spirit, Private First Class Stricker contributed in large measure to the repelling of the strong enemy force. His actions throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.