The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Julius W. Becton, Jr. (ASN: 0-1337659), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 17 September 1950, in the vicinity of Yongsan, Korea. On that date the 3rd Battalion was attacking enemy positions on Hill 201, a key terrain feature. Lieutenant Becton’s platoon led the initial assault. Fearlessly placing himself at the head of his platoon, he led his men in a courageous attack upon the enemy positions., Although subjected to intense mortar, automatic weapons, and small arms fire, he spurred his men on through the heavy hostile fire in a spirited charge up the forward slope of the hill. In the initial charge he was struck and wounded by enemy fire, but, completely ignoring his painful wound, he continued determinedly on through the withering fire, encouraging his men on as they killed and wounded many of the enemy and forced the remainder to seek supplementary positions. At this time the remainder of his company was pinned down by intense enemy automatic weapons fire from an adjacent ridge. Realizing that his platoon was cut off from the main body of friendly troops, he pressed forward, inflicting severe casualties on the enemy, until he reached an advantageous position from which he could repel any enemy counter attacks until he could rejoin his unit. Skillfully deploying his platoon, he established a defensive perimeter and threw back enemy attempts to overrun the position. For a period of approximately 10 hours his small force directed effective fire upon the enemy, inflicting many casualties, until, under cover of darkness, they were able to move back and link-up with the main elements of the battalion. The initiative and tactical skill displayed by Lieutenant Becton prevented the enemy from launching a counterattack and enabled his battalion to occupy an advantageous position from which they later launched a successful attack which drove the enemy from the entire area. The courageous actions of Lieutenant Becton reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.