The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Benjamin Balukonis (ASN: RA-15410342), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. During the early morning hours of 15 June 1953, Company E was assigned the mission of counterattacking the enemy which had overrun positions in the vicinity of Chat-Kol, Korea. Private Balukonis, acting squad leader, led his squad into a trench, unaware that the enemy was in the trench. Realizing the fruitlessness of continuing with the primary plan, he was ordered by his platoon leader to seek a position of safety. One man, however, was wounded and without regard for his personal safety, Private Balukonis aided the wounded man out of the trench while the enemy threw grenades and fired their weapons at them. Although wounded by a grenade, he insured that the wounded man was placed in a position of relative safety, and reorganized his men for the next attack of the numerically superior enemy. He directed his squad to a bunker which had previously been captured and then evacuated. He then directed the fire of his men, inflicting many casualties upon the foe. The enemy, confused and disorganized, retreated. Private Balukonis proceeded to form a defensive perimeter with the other friendly elements in the vicinity and then supervised the evacuation of the wounded. After assuring his squad was capable of handling a further assault, he allowed his own wounds to be treated. Private Balukonis’ outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.