The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Evans C. Carlson (MCSN: 0-8067), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Plane in Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron FIVE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VMF(AW)-513), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 25 June 1951. Discovering an enemy train while reconnoitering a railroad at minimum altitude during a night intruder mission in the Sinmak Area, Major Carlson promptly initiated a series of daring low-level bombing, strafing and napalm attacks in the face of intense hostile anti-aircraft fire, destroying the locomotive and several boxcars. Although his aircraft was severely damaged by the exploding target, he bravely persisted in his efforts and, after vectoring a flare plane into the area, carried out damaging attacks against a second enemy train, scoring direct hits with bombs, napalm and 20-mm. fire on a locomotive and fourteen boxcars. Despite an acute shortage of fuel, he boldly maintained position over the mountainous terrain to coordinate a strike by additional aircraft, and skillfully pinpointed the target for an effective daylight attack by relieving fighter planes. By his marked courage, expert leadership and unswerving devotion to duty throughout the intensive action, Major Carlson was directly instrumental in inflicting extensive damage upon the enemy and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.