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 Private First Class Liandro Contreras, Jr. (ASN: US-56066338), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 1 September 1951 in the vicinity of Mandae-ri, Korea. On that date, during an attack, the unit was halted by heavy small arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and artillery fire. The squad of which Private Contreras was a member, was the object of concentrated machine gun fire from an enemy bunker. Private Contreras, with complete disregard for his own safety, crawled forward toward the enemy, armed with hand grenades. He succeeded in destroying the enemy bunker, inflicting numerous enemy casualties. Rejoining his men, Private Contreras led them forward, and during the final phase of the attack he was fatally wounded by sniper fire. The gallantry in action and self-sacrificing deed of Private Contreras reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.