The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Vernell Arenda (ASN: RA-17101734), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company M, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action near Pohang-dong, Korea, on 2 September 1950. Shortly after launching an attack the company to which he was attached was pinned down by intense machine gun and small arms fire from well dug in enemy positions. Without regard for his own safety he unhesitatingly moved forward, through a hail of withering fire, to a position from which he poured a volume of machine gun fire into the enemy’s position silencing one of the enemy’s machine guns and killing the crew. Again disregarding the intense fire he moved laterally across the company front and fired again and again until another machine gun was destroyed and the advance continued. Private Arenda’s courageous actions and complete devotion to duty reflect he greatest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.