George J. Glatz, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to George J. Glatz, Jr. (557470), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Rifle Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Northeastern Korea, on 9 December 1950. As a Squad Leader in a Rifle Platoon, Sergeant Glatz was assigned the mission of assaulting and seizing a sector of commanding ground overlooking the Main Supply Route near Koto-ri, Korea, which was defended in strength by well-entrenched Chinese Communist enemy forces. With a high degree of courage and skill, he led his men up the face of the treacherous, snow-covered approaches against fierce enemy grenade, rifle and machine gun fire. Although suffering ill effects of extreme cold and prolonged exposure under extremely adverse combat conditions and greatly out numbered by enemy forces, Sergeant Glatz with his depleted squad of only six men repeatedly assaulted, seized and destroyed four heavy machine gun emplacements, killing or capturing more than twenty-five of the enemy. He personally led each assault, skillfully maneuvering his men over the precipitous snow-covered approaches, reorganizing and rallying his men after each assault. The success of his mission contributed materially to the safe withdrawal of the Division elements from the Koto-ri area. Sergeant Glatz’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.