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 Richard E. Stephan (ASN: US-52175421), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. During the early morning hours of 11 June 1953, Company B was assaulted by a reinforced hostile company under the blanketing support of enemy mortar and artillery fire in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea. Although the Company B recoilless rifle section, of which Sergeant Stephan was loader, was not engaged in the action, he volunteered his assistance in the intense hand to hand combat raging in the trenches. Granted permission, he immediately left the command post and situated himself in an advantageous firing position, while under continual enemy fire, and returned effective, accurate automatic rifle fire, accounting for numerous enemy casualties. Whit the slackening of the enemy attack and remnants of the opposition withdrawing, Sergeant Stephan promptly aided in the evacuation of friendly wounded to the nearby aid stations. A check of personnel after the fire fight revealed the absence of a wounded platoon leader who had been seized by the retreating enemy force. With complete disregard of his personal safety, he again volunteered to move out into the shell torn area forward of friendly lines, encountering heavy enemy small arms and automatic weapon fire. Upon arriving at a barbed wire entanglement, he discovered the body of the platoon leader. A litter was dispatched and he closed the friendly line assisting his comrades in returning their mortally wounded leader. Sergeant Stephan’s outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.