The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Earnest E. Turner (ASN: RA-38609312), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company D, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 2 June 1951, in the vicinity of Inje, Korea. On that date Private Turner, a member of a machine gun section, was attached to Company C, which after a successful attack had seized hill 451. After the hill was secured, Private Turner’s machine gun section was placed in position while Company C reorganized. While the company reorganized the enemy launched a furious counterattack with mortar and small arms fire. Private Turner, with complete disregard for his safety, fired his machine gun continually and accurately, killing numerous enemy which were all around his position. During this firefight he was hit three times in the shoulder and arm but, with complete disregard for his painful wounds, he continued to fire until his machine gun was damaged by enemy fire. He then remained in his position and threw hand grenades at the advancing enemy. By this time Company C had reorganized and began a counterattack which routed the enemy. The gallantry displayed by Private Turner reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.