The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Fred C. Steinke (ASN: US-55223839), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Medical Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 5 March 1953 in the vicinity of Um-Dong, North Korea. Private Steinke, an aid man, was accompanying a patrol from Company E, 9th Infantry Regiment, when contact was made with a much larger enemy force. A vicious fire fight followed, during which the officer in charge of the patrol was critically wounded. Although the enemy was overrunning the position where the wounded officer lay, Private Steinke, completely disregarding his own personal safety, advanced into the face of the enemy in order to aid the wounded man. When last seen, he was treating the wounded officer as the Chinese were advancing all around them. The outstanding gallantry and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Private Steinke reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.