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 Richard T. Burkett (ASN: RA-13286806), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in Korea. On 30 March 1951 near Yongju, Korea, Sergeant Burkett voluntarily led his squad in a spearhead attack against an enemy strongly entrenched on commanding ground. Although wounded by hand grenades shrapnel early in the encounter, he continually exposed himself in leading his squad to a successful completion of the advance and accounted for a number of enemy casualties himself. When hostile forces began a fierce counterattack with hand grenades and small arms fire, Sergeant Burkett was again wounded, but continued to withdraw for medical aid until his squad had been relieved by the rest of the platoon. Sergeant Burkett’s courageous leadership was an inspiration to his comrades, and reflects high credit on himself and the United States Army.