The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Pedro J. Zayas (ASN: RA-20025371), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company F, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 19 August 1951, Company F was engaged in mopping-up operations against enemy troops, near Hoesan-ni, Korea, when it was fiercely attacked by a numerically superior hostile force. During the engagement, some friendly positions were overrun and the troops were forced to fall back; but Sergeant Zayas, fully exposed to small arms fire, encouraged the men to keep fighting and moved about consolidating the defense line. Although wounded, he manned a machine gun and hurled hand grenades against the enemy at close range while the other men, following his forceful example, rallied, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy who then abandoned the attack. Sergeant Zayas’ gallant and effective leadership reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.