Edward J. Gerevics

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Edward J. Gerevics (1136720), Private First Class, 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, FMF, in Korea, on 29 May 1951. Serving as a rifleman in a rifle platoon, Private First Class Gerevics was moving with the company in the assault of a series of heavily defended enemy positions when the unit was subjected to an intense enemy mortar barrage, causing many casualties. Courageously volunteering to man a machine gun when he learned that its crew had all been wounded, he fearlessly exposed himself to devastating enemy fire during the ensuing action to pour a large volume of accurate fire on enemy positions. Although he suffered a painful wound in the hand, he refused medical attention, continuing to give heavy supporting fire to the assaulting elements, pinning the enemy down an enabling his comrades to seize their objectives with a minimum of casualties. Only after the successful completion of his mission did he seek medical treatment for his wound. Private First Class Gerevicks’ outstanding devotion to duty and heroic actions were an inspiration to all who observed him, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.