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 Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Kenneth E. Sawyer (ASN: 0-2263011), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery C, 37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 15 September 1951 in the vicinity of Pia-ri, Korea. On that date Lieutenant Sawyer was attached as an artillery forward observer to a friendly infantry unit during its attack on enemy-held positions on Hill 851. The mission of the unit was to advance along a finger leading up to Heartbreak Ridge, thence to cut the ridge line and establish a defensive lock so as to cut enemy attack from the south and west while the remainder of the friendly unit assaulted and captured Hill 851. Before reaching the objective, the unit was pinned down by a devastating crossfire from enemy machine guns and was being harassed by strategically placed snipers. Lieutenant Sawyer, realizing the seriousness of the situation, voluntarily and without thought for his personal safety, advanced to a position from which he could better observe and adjust artillery fire against the enemy. In this exposed position he was subsequently wounded by a sniper’s bullet. Realizing the need of continuing the artillery fire against the enemy, and that replacement could not reach his advanced position for several hours, he did without regard for his personal safety remain and complete the job. He continued to adjust artillery fire until the enemy was effectively silenced and the friendly forces able to advance, before being evacuated. Lieutenant Sawyer’s dauntless courage and selfless devotion to duty aided immeasurably in the successful completion of the friendly unit’s mission. The gallantry in action displayed by Lieutenant Sawyer is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.