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 Sergeant Mark F. McCreary (ASN: 16311546), 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 26 November 1950 in the vicinity of Somin-dong, Korea. On that date his company had been attacked by an overwhelming force, and by daybreak the right flank of the first platoon had been overrun. With the platoon of which Sergeant McCreary was a member thus being forced to withdraw, he courageously stood his ground. Oblivious to the hail of enemy small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire, he sought out and destroyed an enemy mortar position with his 3.5″ rocket launcher, operating the weapon single-handedly from his foxhole. As the enemy immediately concentrated their small arms fire on his position, Sergeant McCreary moved his position and opened fire on the advancing enemy troops killing four of them. An enemy grenade landed in the tube of his rocket launcher and exploded, injuring him and rendering his weapon useless. Sergeant McCreary then rejoined the remaining members of the platoon who had withdrawn under cover of his fire and, heedless of his own painful wound, aided in the evacuation of several seriously wounded comrades. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant McCreary reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.