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 First Class Ervin W. Yates, Sr. (ASN: RA-44111146), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Tank Company Medium, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near the Naktong River, Korea, on 6 August 1950. During an attack to relieve the encirclement by the enemy of friendly units, his tank, one of two supporting the infantry, was hit by anti-tank fire disabling it mechanically. Rather than abandon it, he continued his effective fire and destroyed much enemy equipment and personnel. Later when the accompanying tank was hit and forced to cease fire, Sergeant Yates, exposing himself to the withering enemy fire, moved to the tank, assumed command of its crew and renewed its effective fire on the enemy. Through his efforts the friendly troops were reached and under his protective tank fire, evacuated to the safety of their own lines. Through his courage and unhesitant devotion to duty the mission was successfully accomplished with a minimum number of casualties to the encircled troops. His gallant actions reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the United States Army.