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 Tony L. Laboa (ASN: US-56056103), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division, near Kumsong, Korea, on 18 October 1951. Attacked by an overwhelming, numerically superior enemy force, his unit was forced to make a strategic withdrawal in order to regroup and reorganize. In order that this be done with as few casualties as possible, Private Laboa volunteered to remain behind and give covering fire with his machine gun. Remaining by himself, exposed to enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, he personally killed or wounded approximately thirty-five of the enemy during his valiant one-man defense. His devastatingly accurate fire was so successful that he held off the enemy hordes until his comrades were able to return and drive the attackers from the hill. Private Laboa’s courageous action, tenacious determination and selfless performance of a mission far above the call of duty contributed immeasurably to the success of his unit’s defense and reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.