The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Louis A. Chateau (ASN: 0-60236), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery C, 37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 18 May 1951, in the vicinity of Chuan-ni, Korea. On this date he was liaison officer with the 3d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, when the Battalion Command Post was attacked by a large enemy force using mortars, automatic weapons and small arms. The enemy threw two hand grenades into his operations tent and wounded his two assistants. As they had a fire mission at the time, Lieutenant Chateau, with complete disregard for his personal safety, took over operation of the communications equipment and continued to relay the fire mission, although the enemy was placing direct automatic weapons fire on him. Upon completion of the fire mission, Lieutenant Chateau organized and personally led a counter-attack against the enemy. This force was able to drive the enemy from the area through hand-to-hand combat. His devotion to duty and utter disregard for his personal safety in the face of this surprise attack were an inspiration to all who witnessed it. The gallantry displayed by Lieutenant Chateau reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.