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 Joseph J. Bannonis (ASN: RA-13162544), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company F, 2d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 31 January 1951, near Untong-dong, Korea, the 2d platoon of Company F was attacking a small hill blocking the approach to Hill 425, the battalion objective. As the platoon approached its objective it suddenly came under extremely accurate close range machine gun and small arms fire. Simultaneously a heavy artillery barrage fell amidst the platoon, causing heavy casualties and disorganizing the platoon. Immediately the enemy swarmed down the hill in a counter attack toward the squad of Sergeant Bannonis. Although dazed and stunned by the terrific artillery barrage, Sergeant Bannonis regained his feet and calmly reorganized the remaining men of his shattered squad. Maneuvering them to the right, he was in a position to place flanking fire on the enemy. As soon as the enemy attack faltered, Sergeant Bannonis, displaying great initiative and outstanding courage, led his depleted squad forward in an attack up the hill toward the objective until he was wounded. The aggressive leadership and gallantry displayed by Sergeant Bannonis reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.