The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Roland Eugene Cooper (ASN: 0-63946), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a member of Company I, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, on 26 October 1952 in the vicinity of Chorwon, North Korea. On that date, Lieutenant Cooper was leading a patrol into hostile territory with the mission of making contact with the enemy and taking prisoners. As they neared the objective, the patrol was ambushed by a numerically superior enemy force and immediately subjected to a murderous cross fire. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he organized the patrol for a withdrawal and started to lead them back to friendly lines through intense enemy mortar and small arms fire. Although painfully wounded during the action, Lieutenant Cooper refused medical attention, and with complete disregard for personal safety, continued to expose himself to enemy fire while giving words of encouragement to his men and directing their withdrawal. As the patrol neared the friendly lines, he stepped on an enemy mine and was mortally wounded. He made the supreme sacrifice in his sincere concern for the welfare of his men and his inspiring and courageous leadership was directly responsible for the patrol reaching friendly lines with a minimum of casualties. The gallantry in action displayed by Lieutenant Cooper reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.