The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Russell H. Piatt (ASN: RA-16204385), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 13 February 1951, near Naogong-ni, Korea, a numerically superior enemy force had occupied Hill 291, a vital terrain feature in the battalion sector, and forced a platoon to withdraw. Sergeant Piatt was a member of a composite force sent from Headquarters Company with the mission of retaking the ground. In advancing upon the enemy position, this force was subjected to devastating fire and forced to halt. Aware of the immediate necessity for placing effective fire on the enemy positions, Sergeant Piatt, with complete disregard for his personal safety, carried a machine gun forward. Although bullets were striking all around him, Sergeant Piatt courageously manned this machine gun in an exposed area and placed heavy fire on the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties and causing much confusion. Later he led a charge up the hill which so unnerved the enemy that he fled in disorder allowing Hill 291 to be captured by our force. The gallantry and aggressive actions of Sergeant Piatt reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.