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 Sergeant Edward Thomas McKotch (ASN: US-52212295), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. During the early morning hours of 24 June 1953, in the vicinity of Chat-Kol, Korea, the main line of resistance positions of Company K were attacked by a numerically superior enemy force supported by heavy barrages of mortar and artillery fire. In the initial bombardment, a friendly automatic rifle position was hit by enemy fire which wounded the two men stationed there. Learning this, Sergeant McKotch immediately ran to the weakened sector and removed the casualties to safety. Disregarding the intense enemy concentration, he courageously returned to the position and commenced to operate an automatic rifle. Although the enemy had reached his position, he continued to fire his weapon and inflicted much damage upon the advancing foe. He valiantly defended the vital position until mortally wounded. Sergeant McKotch’s outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.