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 Private First Class Billy W. Awtrey (ASN: RA-18280057), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 3d Engineer Combat Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, in action near Chinju, Korea, on 31 July to 1 August 1950. Private Awtrey, with three other men, volunteered to hold a road block forward of the 19th Infantry Regiment to insure the use of the road by the regiment in a planned attack. The block had been prepared for demolition and its destruction would have seriously imperiled the attack. Although fully aware of heavy enemy infiltration in and around the road block, he gallantly insisted upon holding the position. During the night, enemy infiltration caused the attack to be short lived, although leading elements were able to proceed past the road block before withdrawing. In the action which followed, the position was overrun and Private Awtrey was killed. His fearless action in holding this vital position against overwhelming odds reflects the greatest credit on himself and the United States Engineer Corps.