Ernest P. Skelt, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Ernest P. Skelt, Jr. (0-42317), First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Engineer Battalion of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Korea, on 7 December 1950. First Lieutenant Skelt, serving as officer-in-charge of a four-man demolition team, courageously led his team in the destruction of a large concrete bridge, many buildings and other facilities which could by used by the enemy in the town of Hagaru-ri, Korea, after all friendly forces had left the town. Although large groups of enemy were entering the town from the opposite end, he repeatedly and fearlessly exposed himself to enemy fire in order that the rear guard might gain a distance of several hundred yards before he detonated the last of the explosive charges. While working far to the rear and, on occasion, out of sight of the friendly rear guard, he led his men for a period of sixteen hours, six of which were during darkness, in carrying out his demolition mission. With enemy elements frequently within sight of the rear guard, he repeatedly disregarded enemy small arms and mortar fire and the possibility of imminent contact with a numerically superior enemy force to delay the advance of the enemy. Despite the many difficulties confronting him and although usually beyond effective range of friendly covering forces, he aggressively led his team in the successful completion of his vital mission. First Lieutenant Skelt’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.