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 First Class Samuel S. Babb (ASN: RA-44041417), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 25 April 1951, near Popsu-dong, Korea, the Third Platoon’s positions on Hill 287 were attacked on three sides by a numerically superior enemy force. Sergeant Babb, observing the platoon withdrawing in the face of the attack and aware that the maneuver would result in the beleaguerment of the entire company, unhesitatingly dashed through the retreating unit and, under intense enemy fire, took up a recently vacated position; assisted by another enlisted man, he poured a hail of fire into the charging foe driving them back. Sergeant Babb again courageously defended the position when the enemy initiated another vigorous assault, denying them their objective; and, with heroic determination, he retained the position as the enemy massed for a final assault. At that time, the reorganized platoon returned to the positions and the attack was repulsed. The superb gallantry and outstanding initiative displayed by Sergeant Babb reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Samuel S. Babb (ASN: RA-44041417), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 26 May 1951, Company A was assigned the mission of capturing several small hills near Ami-dong, Korea. As the lead elements of the Third Platoon advanced toward their objective, three of the hills, the enemy, from whom opposition had been reckoned as light, opened fire with an intense machine gun and small arms fusillade which soon pinned the unit down. Sergeant Babb, realizing the precarious position that the unexpectedly strong hostile opposition had placed the platoon in, led the machine gun section to a position where its counterfire would assist the unit to withdraw. While in the process of establishing the section in an advantageous location, Sergeant Babb was wounded, but refusing medical aid, he remained in the area, seeking out the enemy positions and directing return fire upon them. Under the protective cover afforded by the machine gun section’s fire, the platoon began to fall back; and, in order to obtain the maximum effectiveness of his weapons, Sergeant Babb stood in an upright position showing his men where to shoot as they slowly withdrew after the riflemen. During this retrograde action he was again wounded, but refusing evacuation, Sergeant Babb stayed with the section until it had withdrawn to safety. The steadfast gallantry exhibited by Sergeant Babb reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.