The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Joseph L. Annello (ASN: RA-11200212), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in Korea. On 24 April 1951, near Taejon-ni, Korea, Sergeant Annello’s unit was occupying defensive positions when it was attacked during the hours of darkness by a numerically superior enemy force and subjected to a withering barrage of small arms, automatic weapons, mortar and grenade fire. Sergeant Annello, a Squad Leader, dashed across open terrain through a concentration of mortar fire to rescue two wounded comrades who had been wounded while operating a machine gun and, after carrying the men to safety, returned through the hail of hostile fire to move the machine gun to a more stable position. He was then wounded himself but, refusing to leave his position, he laid down an effective base of fire with his rifle and hand grenades, endeavoring to stall the assault until the machine gun could be made ready for operation and the remainder of his unit could withdraw to a more tenable position. He remained in place directing fire and, standing up, continued to fire his own rifle into the fanatical hostile attackers. When last seen he was engaged in hand-to-hand combat with two enemy soldiers who had overrun his position. Sergeant Annello’s audacious gallantry and courageous actions were instrumental in effecting a successful strategic withdrawal which saved many lives and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.