Lawrence W. Mcelrea

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Lawrence W. McElrea (1070084), Corporal, 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 6 June 1951. Serving as a Fire Team Leader in a Rifle Platoon, Corporal McElrea was moving with the platoon in the attack of an enemy hill position defended by a large enemy force in strong emplacements, when the unit was subjected to devastating enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire. When he observed that a member of his fire team had been wounded and was lying in an exposed position, and realizing that a corpsman was not nearby, he fearlessly and with complete disregard for his own safety rushed to his comrade’s side and dragged him to a covered position, administering first aid to him although exposed constantly to heavy enemy fire. Then seizing the man’s automatic rifle, he assigned it to another rifleman, and moved forward in the attack, materially assisting in the final seizure of the objective. His unselfish devotion to duty and great personal bravery aided materially in the saving of his comrade’s life, and were an inspiration to all who observed him. Corporal McElrea’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.