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 Marion J. Carpenter (ASN: RA-19308082), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 16 February 1951, in the vicinity of Chipyong-ni, Korea. Private Carpenter had volunteered his services as a litter bearer to assist a friendly unit which was under attack by numerically superior enemy forces. Upon arrival in the friendly unit’s sector, his squad was subjected to heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire. When he became aware of a penetration in the sector, Private Carpenter immediately engaged the enemy in a firefight. By his prompt action he so inspired the remainder of the men that they deployed and also engaged the enemy with grenade and small arms fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he personally assaulted an enemy position, killing its members, and his courageous action was directly responsible for routing the hostile force, inflicting heavy casualties upon it. The gallantry displayed by Private Carpenter reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.