The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Michael Cheppa (ASN: RA-13021672), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 30 November 1950 in the vicinity of Kunu-ri, Korea. Corporal Cheppa’s company was part of a convoy attempting to penetrate an enemy road block that was approximately five miles in depth. Intense hostile automatic weapons fire, delivered from commanding ground overlooking the escape route, caused heavy casualties and forced the column to halt. Company C was committed in an effort to dislodge the enemy from this sector of the blocked route. Corporal Cheppa, a mortar man, picked up an abandoned mortar, placed it in an open position and, despite the fact that his weapon had no sights, began delivering fire against an enemy machine gun which was subjecting the halted column to intense and deadly fire. Disregarding the heavy fire striking about him, he fired the mortar so effectively that the position was soon neutralized. He continued to fire on other targets until he received orders to withdraw and rejoin the convoy. As he started to the rear he was struck and killed by fire from an enemy machine gun. The gallantry displayed by Corporal Cheppa reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.