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 P. Atwood (ASN: US-51037088), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company F, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 20 September 1951 in the vicinity of Satae-ri, Korea. On that date Sergeant Atwood was a squad leader of a machine gun squad that was in support of a friendly unit whose defensive positions were under attack by the enemy. During this action he observed that the crew of a machine gun had become casualties. Without hesitation he exposed himself to the hostile fire and advanced to the aid of his comrades. After administering first aid, he assisted the wounded men to positions of comparative safety. Realizing the importance of their weapon’s fire power, he immediately returned to the unmanned machine gun and from a position under direct enemy observation and fire, he delivered devastating fire on the onrushing hostile forces, inflicting numerous casualties upon them. In the course of this action he was wounded and evacuated, but as a result of his dauntless courage and selfless devotion to duty, his unit was able to repulse the hostile attack. The gallantry in action displayed by Sergeant Atwood on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.