The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Joseph Aldrete (ASN: RA-18319906), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 6 September 1950 in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea. On that date, he was in command of the 57-mm. recoilless rifle section of Company A, 23d Infantry Regiment, whose mission was to attack an enemy fortified position. During the attack, extremely heavy casualties were inflicted upon the company by a heavy barrage of enemy artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire. When his platoon and section were disorganized and pushed back from their objective, he reorganized his section in the face of heavy enemy fire, and personally led them back to the objective, where they succeeded in holding the ground. Shortly after the final objective was secured he was killed by enemy mortar fire. The fearlessness and high devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Aldrete reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.