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 Second Lieutenant Pierre D. Reissner, Jr. (MCSN: 0-50391), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifle Platoon Leader of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 24 April 1951. With his platoon assigned the mission of guarding the rear of the battalion in its attempt to break out of an enemy encirclement and regroup south of a river near Tangam-ni, Second Lieutenant Reissner took position on a low ridge covering the road, effected a prompt reorganization of his men and directed them in maintaining a stubborn defense of the area as the enemy laid down intense mortar, machine gun and small arms fire. Ordering his men to withdraw as the fire gained momentum and his platoon suffered heavy casualties under the devastating barrage, he stood up in an exposed position where his men could see him and personally supervised the evacuation of all who could walk before guiding his five remaining men in carrying the seriously wounded to safety. Dashing alone through an area raked by hostile mortar and machine gun fire, he brought a mortally wounded Marine to a tank, assisted him onto the vehicle and stayed with him until he succumbed. With the rapidly closing hostile troops already firing from the ridge which his group had just vacated, he coolly helped to carry another casualty across an open area to a covered position and, only after confirming that all his men had reached safety, sought shelter for himself. His inspiring leadership, dauntless perseverance and selfless concern for others reflect the highest credit upon Second Lieutenant Reissner and the United States Naval Service.