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 [then Private First Class] Marco Y. Begay (ASN: ER-18147454), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 20 May 1951, in the vicinity of Hangye, Korea. On that date he was a member of a machine gun squad, assisting in the defense of his unit’s perimeter against a numerically superior enemy force. As the enemy attack neared his squad’s position, he arose and engaged the enemy with hand grenades and carbine fire. Although subjected to intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, he remained in his exposed position until the wounded were removed. He then recovered his machine gun and placed neutralizing fire on the attackers, allowing the other members of his platoon to prepare a new position from which the enemy attack was successfully repelled. The gallant conduct displayed by Corporal Begay on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and the military service.