capacity until November 14, 1951, and received the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V" for his service in that capacity. He was then transferred to divisional staff under Major General Gerald C. Thomas and assumed duty as assistant chief of staff for operations (G-3). The division was sent to western Korea in March 1952, where it took over a sector of the extreme left of the UN line with the responsibility of blocking the historic invasion route to Seoul. Gayle remained in that capacity until the end of April 1952 and then returned to the United States for a severe family medical emergency. For his service on the staff of 1st Marine Division, Gayle received the Legion of Merit with Combat "V". 1952–1968 Upon his return stateside, Gayle was ordered to Dallas, Texas, for duty as executive officer, Southern Recruiting Area and served in this capacity until February 1953, when he was transferred to Washington, D.C., for duty as officer in charge, Recruiting Branch and later as acting assistant director, 5th Marine Corps Reserve and Recruitment District. In May 1953, Gayle was ordered to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, where he assumed duty as an instructor at the Marine Corps Educational Center. While there he was promoted to colonel in June 1955 and was appointed head of tactics and operations instruction at the Marine Command and Staff College, Quantico. Gayle was ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps in July 1956 and appointed assistant head, Plans Branch. He later became branch head and served in this capacity until assigned as a student to the National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., in August 1959. He graduated in July 1960 and departed for Japan, where he joined the headquarters, United States Forces Japan in Tokyo as deputy assistant chief of staff for operations (G-3) and remained in this capacity until September 1962. Gayle was then sent to Okinawa as commanding officer, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. Gayle was transferred to the divisional staff in February 1963 and assumed duty as division's chief of staff under Major General Henry W. Buse Jr. In August 1963, Gayle returned to the United States and joined again the staff of Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, under Lieutenant General Frederick L. Wieseman. He served as chairman, Long Range Study Panel which was tasked with future concepts development for the Marine Corps operational, organizational, logistical and Research and Development