Wayne B. Sager

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Wayne B. Sager (617397), Sergeant, 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 10 February 1951. Serving as a 60-mm. mortar squad leader attached to a rifle platoon on an independent mission near Chigadong, Sergeant Sager displayed outstanding courage and initiative when the unit, while proceeding along a narrow, exposed trail which dropped off sherry on both sides, was subjected to intense enemy fire from entrenched positions on commanding ground. Disregarding completely his own safety in the face of the heavy enemy fire, which had already wounded many of his comrades, he quickly set up his mortar and delivered accurate fire on the enemy. Although he was temporarily blinded by flying rock fragments, he continued to fire his mortar, locating the tube by sense of touch, until he was painfully wounded in the face and chest. His great personal bravery and fearless devotion to duty enabled the rifle platoon to deploy in the attack and were an inspiration to all who observed him. Sergeant Sager’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.