The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Donald E. Watterson (MCSN: 0-41686), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company H, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Seoul, Korea, on 25 September 1950. While his company was under attack by heavy sniper and automatic weapons fire from three separate enemy positions, First Lieutenant Watterson immediately started to reorganize his company preparatory to launching an assault and, coordinating the fire of his unit with that from artillery and mortar weapons in the area, assisted materially in the seizure of the objective. When the hostile forces, estimated at 200 launched a fierce counterattack, he skillfully conducted his company in repelling the enemy with mortar, small arms and grenade fire and, although bleeding profusely from a head wound sustained during this action, continued to direct his men while receiving first aid from the company Corpsman. Ordered to withdraw to a more tenable position, he insured the evacuation of all dead and wounded before effecting the withdrawal of his company without losing a single man. His inspiring leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and aggressive devotion to duty reflect great credit upon First Lieutenant Watterson and the United States Naval Service.