of intense rifle mortar, artillery and machine-gun fire. Although later wounded in a mortar blast which killed much of his command unit, Gayle refused evacuation and remained in command, thereby speeding 2/5's seizure and securing of the major portion of the airfield against fanatical enemy resistance and fierce counterattacks. For his leadership and heroism in action on Peleliu, Gayle was decorated with Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. He also received the Purple Heart for his combat wound and was ordered to back to the United States for treatment. Upon his arrival to the United States in November 1944, Gayle was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and attached to the staff of Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, where he served under former 1st Marine Division commander, Major General William H. Rupertus as an instructor at the Command and Staff School. Gayle taught in that capacity until February 1945, when he was assigned to the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He graduated in May of that year and returned to the teaching staff of Marine Corps Schools, Quantico. Postwar career In May 1947, Gayle became military plans and assistant operations officer on the staff of the commander, Amphibious Group One and Transport Squadron One, in San Diego, California, and served in this capacity until December 1948. Gayle was then ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., and served with the Division of Plans and Policies until June 1949, when he was appointed assistant director of Marine Corps History Division and deputy to Brigadier General Clayton C. Jerome. During his service in this capacity, he wrote the Marine Corps official history of the Peleliu battle and several other history publications. He also authored in later years the Marine Corps official monograph Bloody Beaches: The Marines at Peleliu, Korean War Following the outbreak of Korean War, Gayle was ordered to Korea in September 1951 and assumed duty as executive officer, 7th Marine Regiment under Colonel Herman Nickerson Jr. on September 20. His regiment was held in divisional reserve for the 1st Marine Division following the Battle of the Punchbowl, but soon returned to the front lime. Facing elements of the Chinese PLA, the 7th Marines were part of the Division's main defensive position. Local skirmishes and clashes were continuous and ongoing but no major engagements. Gayle remained in that