Joseph H. Reinburg

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Joseph H. Reinburg (0-7464), Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as Pilot of a Fighter Plane and Squadron Commander of a Marine All-Weather Fighter Squadron, operating from a base in Japan, on the night of 21 August 1950, against enemy heavy artillery positions in Korea. This enemy artillery had pinned down and was inflicting heavy casualties on friendly forces. Flying at extremely low altitudes in absolute darkness and in mountainous terrain Major Reinburg was able to locate the enemy guns by their flashes. Completely ignoring his personal safety he made repeated bombing, rocketing, and strafing attacks on the enemy positions which were reported destroyed by ground controllers. After all armament was expended he remained in the area making repeated passes over enemy positions until friendly troops could move out. Major Reinburg’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.