The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Virgil C. King (ASN: 0-1382792), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment< 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 17 September 1950 near Haman, Korea, Lieutenant King's company was overrun by a numerically superior hostile force. Organizing the dispersed elements into a cohesive group, he led it in successive counterattacks to regain the lost ground. Repeatedly exposing himself to enemy artillery, mortar and small arms fire, he reconnoitered the area to select most advantageous positions. During one attack he was thrown twenty feet down a slope when a mortar round exploded near him; undaunted, he returned to the crest of the hill and resumed the attack. Lieutenant King's conspicuous courage, outstanding leadership and exceptional military skill enabled the company to regain valuable ground and reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the United States Army.