The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Vasco J. Alves (ASN: RA-21002674), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 4 September 1950 near Haman, Korea, the platoon with which Corporal Alves was serving was subjected to an intense barrage of hostile machine gun and automatic weapons fire. When displacement became necessary, Corporal Alves remained in an exposed position and directed rifle fire and grenades at the hostile forces to cover the withdrawal of the platoon. Although wounded during the action he refused to withdraw until the entire platoon had reached safety. As he proceeded down the hill to rejoin his unit he was wounded a second time. Corporal Alves’ conspicuous courage and unflagging devotion to his comrades were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.