The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Denzil L. Baker (ASN: 0-43052), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action near Hoengsong, Korea. During the night of 12-13 February, 1951, Lieutenant Colonel Baker was ordered to withdraw his units from a position that had become untenable due to enemy encirclement. His actions during that night were characterized by continuous movement, often under intense enemy fire, in order to keep his units organized and to provide maximum fire power to break through an enemy roadblock. As the withdrawing column passed the main intersection in Hoengsong, where the enemy had placed heavy machine gun and mortar fire, several vehicles were hit and threatened to stop all movement. Lieutenant Colonel Baker hastened to the intersection and assumed control of the traffic. He placed a company in rear-guard position, and pointed out targets and fields of fire for his tanks and armored vehicles in the column. Throughout the night he continued to exercise personal control over individual men, vehicles and units. His courage and forcefulness, and the accuracy of his decisions, in spite of intense enemy activity, were an inspiration to his men. The heroism displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Baker on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and the military service.