The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) George W. Schmidt (ASN: 0-1329886), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 24 January 1951 in the vicinity of Wonju, Korea. On that date Lieutenant Schmidt was in command of a combat patrol which was to proceed northeast toward Hoengsong with the mission of seeking and destroying enemy forces encountered along the route of advance. Because of the difficult and rugged terrain over which the patrol operated, the four tanks and three anti-aircraft firing vehicles attached to the patrol had to be left behind. Lieutenant Schmidt, even though the fire power of his patrol was greatly reduced, reorganized and aggressively pushed forward. Forging ahead with his depleted patrol, deep into enemy territory, he came under intense fire from enemy forces entrenched on commanding ground. Undaunted by the numerical superiority of the enemy, he led his patrol with such skill and aggressiveness that the enemy was completely routed and fled, leaving their dead on the field. The gallantry displayed on this occasion by Lieutenant Schmidt reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.