Calvin E. Lee

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Calvin E. Lee (511010), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein), FMF, in Korea, on 8 December 1950. Staff Sergeant Lee was the Platoon Sergeant of a rifle platoon which was spearheading a drive along the road south of Koto-ri, Korea, when the forward elements of his platoon were hit from three directions by heavy and accurate enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire and were pinned down. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he left his covered position and moved forward under heavy fire with his platoon leader to reconnoiter an avenue of approach to the enemy position. Upon encountering an enemy machine gun nest, he assisted his platoon leader in knocking out the gun with hand grenades. Later in reconnaissance, the platoon leader was killed and Staff Sergeant Lee was wounded. Despite his wounds, he refused treatment and evacuation until the platoon was reorganized and placed in charge of the adjacent platoon leader. His coolness and courage under fire, stamina and fortitude, even though wounded, were an inspiration to all members of his platoon. Staff Sergeant Lee’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.