The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Welton Ralph Abell (MCSN: 0-43826), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea from 6 to 8 December 1950. Charged with the responsibility of integrating survivors from a five-day battle and special services personnel unfamiliar with infantry tactics into a coordinated combat group to act as part of the advance guard Battalion for the Division’s move from Hagaru-ri to Koto-ri, First Lieutenant Abell placed himself at the head of his troops and boldly led them forward against a vastly outnumbering, deeply entrenched enemy along the line of march. Spearheading the assault throughout twenty-two hours of furious action in sub-zero weather, he continuously exposed himself to blistering automatic weapons, grenade, rifle and mortar fire to re-deploy his troops as casualties occurred and direct their effective fire in overcoming successive strong hostile positions which blocked the road. With all but two of his officers either killed or wounded and his ranks depleted by casualties early in the action, he dispatched runners to notify his platoons of an attempted enemy envelopment of the right flank area and, when both were struck down before completing the mission, moved to the area alone under the intense barrage and calmly disposed his men to shift their fire and block the threat to his lines. Assigned the mission of seizing a commanding ridgeline occupied by overwhelming forces in strong defensive positions the early morning of 8 December, First Lieutenant Abell skillfully maneuvered his depleted company up the steep, frozen hillside in a blinding snowstorm and, by late afternoon had succeeded in gaining a defensive position. Painfully wounded in the shoulder when the enemy launched a vicious counterattack shortly after dark, he steadfastly refused medical attention and continued to remain with his troops, offering words of encouragement and inspiring them to hold fast until the assault was repulsed. His brilliant leadership, fortitude and valiant devotion to duty against tremendous odds reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Abell and the United States Naval Service.