The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant [then Sergeant First Class] Samuel L. Barber (ASN: RA-13357763), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, near Kumsong, Korea, on 20 October 1951. His company attacked firmly entrenched enemy forces and, after bitter fighting, forced them to retreat. However, the determined enemy immediately launched a savage counterattack, deploying a tremendous volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire. With complete disregard for his own Safety, Sergeant Barber repeatedly exposed himself to the murderous enemy fire in order to better deploy his men. He personally placed such devastatingly accurate fire upon the enemy hordes that he killed or wounded approximately ten hostile soldiers, leading to the successful repulse of the attack. Despite sporadic sniper fire, he remained exposed to help evacuate the wounded. Sergeant Barber’s courageous action, exemplary leadership and selfless devotion to duty contributed immeasurably to the success of his unit’s defense and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Infantry.