The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Field Artillery), [then Lieutenant Colonel] Joseph H. Buys (ASN: 0-29689), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Division Artillery, [then Commanding Officer, 503d Field Artillery Battalion], 2d Infantry Division, from 1 to 30 September 1950, during the Naktong River defense and later the offensive operations of the 2d Infantry Division in the breakout and pursuit to Hyopchon, Korea. Throughout that period Colonel Buys was almost constantly present with the forward elements of the infantry, repeatedly exposing himself to enemy mortars, small arms and automatic weapons fire, while performing reconnaissance and personally adjusting the fire of his battalion on enemy positions to assist the infantry to advance. By remaining in the forward areas Colonel Buys was able to execute timely displacements of his batteries, many times pushing his medium artillery forward of the light artillery positions. Continually inspiring his own and supported troops by his repeated examples of bravery and determined leadership, Colonel Buys was personally and directly responsible for many of their brilliant and daring exploits in penetrating enemy defenses, breaking up frenzied counterattacks, and the destruction by his battalion of the equivalent of an infantry division in personnel and equipment in a single month. The gallantry, tactical and technical ability and inspirational leadership displayed by Colonel Buys reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.