Korean War - Silver Star - Marine Corps

Silver StarThe Silver Star Medal is the United States' third-highest award exclusively for combat valor and ranks fifth in the precedence of military awards behind the Medal of Honor, the Crosses (Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross), the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (awarded by DOD), and the Distinguished Service Medals of the various branches of service. It is the highest award for combat valor that is not unique to any specific branch; it has been bestowed by the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. It may be given by any one of the individual services to not only their own members, but to members of other branches of service, foreign allies, and even to civilians for "gallantry in action" in support of combat missions of the United States military.

We have identified slightly more than 11,800 Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps recipients of the Silver Star for gallantry in action during the Korean War. These are listed in the PDF document titled "Index of Major Awards", which is found on this page.

We have identified a total of 1,563 U.S. Marine Corps recipients of the Silver Star during the Korean War, most of them from the list developed by Jane Blakeney. We believe that this index of Korean War recipients is 90% complete.

Of the total Marine Corps recipients who have earned the Silver Star during the Korean War, we have verified around 10% of the citations which are provided below. Use the "Index of Major Awards" to review the full list of Marine Corps recipients, including those that we do not have verified citations.

* Indicates Killed in Action (KIA), Missing in Action (MIA), Prisoner of War (POW), or Died Non-Battle (DNB)