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 Walter T. Chappell (ASN: RA-16019977), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Battery A, 15th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Self Propelled), 7th Infantry Division, in action near Sogu-ri, Korea, on 17 November 1950. On this date, Sergeant Chappell was in charge of an automatic weapons squad attached to Company B, 17th Infantry, for close ground support. At approximately 0950 hours the column came under heavy enemy fire from well-hidden automatic weapons and small arms positions. An infantry soldier about one hundred yards to the right of Sergeant Chappell’s M-19 was wounded. As the wounded man started crawling towards the road, he received heavy enemy sniper fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Chappell instantly leaped from his vehicle and ran to the assistance of the wounded man and with the help of a comrade carried him through the heavy enemy fire to safety behind the M-19. This action undoubtedly saved the life of the wounded soldier. Sergeant Chappell’s display of gallantry on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.