The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James T. Cronin (MCSN: 0-35789), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 28 November 1950. Realizing that his company would be forced to advance through direct frontal and flanking hostile fire during a maneuver to relieve another Marine company, First Lieutenant Cronin, with his company commander directing the attack on the enemy’s flank, immediately organized the remainder of the company and moved forward. Although subjected to direct enemy machine gun and mortar fire throughout the furious engagement, he fearlessly remained at the observation post, working tirelessly and with superb courage in calling for and directing effective air support, in supervising the evacuation of wounded and in maintaining a steady flow of ammunition to fighting units. By his fearless and aggressive leadership, daring tactics and cool courage in the face of heavy odds, First Lieutenant Cronin served as an inspiration to all who observed him, and his staunch devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.