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 Corporal [then Private First Class] Michael Kolson (ASN: US-52076149), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 2 September 1951 in the vicinity of Mandeau-san, Korea. On this date the platoon of which Corporal Kolson was a member, was going to the aid of another friendly unit which had been encircled and was under attack by a numerically superior enemy force. Corporal Kolson displayed great courage in breaking through the enemy lines, exposing himself on numerous occasions to the intense hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire so as to place fire from his automatic rifle on the hostile forces and succeeded in pinning them down. After joining the encircled platoon, he assisted in repulsing the numerous enemy attacks with his automatic rifle and in hand to hand combat, inflicting numerous casualties upon the enemy. His fearless actions were highly responsible for the success of his unit in this engagement. The gallantry in action and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Corporal Kolson on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.