The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Ewald A. Vom Orde, Jr. (MCSN: 0-48829), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Commander of Company D, First Engineer Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 6 to 10 December 1950. With his platoon attached to an infantry regiment and disposed with the point of the attack during the assault of the regiment from Hagaru-ri to Hungnam, First Lieutenant Vom Orde fearlessly braved heavy enemy fire to supervise the construction of bridges and by-passes along the route of march, a the same time assisting in the destruction of several enemy roadblocks. Continuously hampered by fanatical enemy attacks, butter sub-zero temperatures and ice-covered roads along rugged, precipitous terrain, he persistently drove forward, carrying out each mission with superb skill and courage and contributing materially to the successful passage of the entire division. His daring and forceful leadership, fortitude and unrelenting determination served as an inspiration to all who observed him and reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Vom Orde and the United States Naval Service.