The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Joseph Stephen Bartos, Jr. (MCSN: 0-49359), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the First Provisional Casual Company, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, and serving as Yangdo Island Defense Commander, in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, on 20 February 1952. When a determined and large hostile force launched an amphibious landing on the island, First Lieutenant Bartos skillfully employed an interpreter to rally Republic of Korea Marine Corps troops and succeeded in confining the enemy to the crest of the hill. With local outpost telephonic and ship-to-shore communications rendered inoperable during the initial stages of the assault, he effectively deployed the friendly troops to vantage points and, waiting out five hours of darkness and adverse weather, kept the enemy localized to the one position. As dawn approached, he directed several infantry attacks against the opposing force and, failing to dislodge the enemy, controlled and directed the fire of two 81-mm. mortars, killing approximately one-half of the raiding force and capturing or wounding a large number before the remaining enemy troops were forced to withdraw. By his outstanding courage, inspiring leadership and zealous devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Bartos contributed materially to the success of friendly forces in holding the strategic island and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.