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 Mike Chupurdy (ASN: RA-16260556), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 24 April 1951, near Taejon-ni, Korea, Sergeant Chupurdy was a mortar forward observer for the Third Platoon when that unit, occupying a defensive position on the Kansas Line, was suddenly attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. When the friendly flanking units were overrun and the platoon’s position became jeopardized, Sergeant Chupurdy voluntarily left his covered position and, heedless of the withering hail of enemy fire, moved forward across 60 yards of open terrain to an exposed point where he was able to observe and direct mortar fire by radio. Although the Third Platoon was ordered to withdraw, he remained and continued to direct effective fire upon the enemy, knocking out a hostile mortar position and inflicting approximately 40 casualties on the attacking force. Only after the last man in his platoon had withdrawn did he displace under cover of self-directed mortar fire. The gallantry, aggressiveness, and initiative displayed by Sergeant Chupurdy reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.