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) Saad Khalil (ASN: 0-1314149), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company H, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 12 February 1951, near Sansong-ni, Korea, Company H was supporting the battalion attack on Hill 520, Lieutenant Khalil observed large groups of enemy moving into position near the mouth of an opening in one of the high walls which surrounded the hill. Disregarding a heavy concentration of enemy fire directed at him he went to an exposed observation post to give the fire commands which eventually resulted in the neutralization of the enemy machine guns and the dislodgement of the enemy riflemen. Later he noticed an estimated enemy platoon moving into position on the flank of the battalion direction of attack. A heavy machine gun section was firing at the enemy but the fire was high and ineffective. Lieutenant Khalil, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved approximately four hundred yards through open and rough terrain exposed to heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire in order to lower the fire of the machine gun section. Lieutenant Khalil’s gallant actions aided materially in routing the enemy and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.