The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Orlando Ramirez, Jr. (ASN: RA-12307724), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 16 May 1951, in the vicinity of Chik-tong, Korea. On that date the mission of his platoon was to defend the main supply route against enemy attacks and to hold the high ground leading to it. Sergeant Ramirez observed the assistant gunner of the most forward machine gun which covered a vital defensive position, being wounded and carried from his position. Knowing that the machine gunner would need an assistant to maintain his fire, Sergeant Ramirez unhesitant and voluntarily left his cover and crawled to the exposed position of the machine gunner, under intense small arms and mortar fire. There he took the place of the assistant gunner and courageously served his weapon in delivering a deadly stream of fire which broke the waves of enemy infantry who were trying to knock out the position. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Ramirez reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.