Louis G. Proctor

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Louis G. Proctor (0-56992), Second Lieutenant, 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 25 July 1953. Serving as a Platoon Commander, Second Lieutenant Proctor displayed outstanding courage, initiative and devotion to duty. When the company’s sector of the main line of resistance was subjected to murderous enemy mortar and artillery fire, he received a call for aid from the extreme right flank of his position. Expressing complete disregard for his personal safety, he courageously exposed himself to the devastating hostile fire and while moving through the trenchline, he was twice knocked down by blasts of enemy mortar and artillery rounds. Although painfully wounded he dauntlessly reached the right flank and found a seriously wounded comrade. When attempts to evacuate the wounded Marine through the trenchline failed, he called for volunteers and carrying one end of the stretcher he gallantly aided in carrying the stricken man over the crest of a hill that was under direct enemy observation to the aid station approximately four hundred yards away. After assuring that the wounded man was being properly cared for, he returned to his platoon, consolidated his badly depleted forces and defended his position against numerous vicious enemy attacks. When the hostile troops succeeded in driving back the flanks of his position, he gallantly led his men in a counterattack and restored his line. Only after his line was fully regained and all his men cared for did he allow his own wounds to be treated. Second Lieutenant Proctor’s gallant and courageous actions combined with his indomitable spirit served as an inspiration to all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.