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 First Class Lee J. Corkill, Jr. (ASN: US-54024503), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. During the morning hours of darkness on 26 August 1951, Company B was occupying defensive positions on Hill 266, which was being used as a patrol base, when it was subjected to a hostile artillery barrage followed by an overwhelming hostile attack. Having gained the high ground overlooking the company’s positions, the foe sent two of his soldiers to a point from which they pinned down a platoon with lethal grenade fire. Private Corkill, on outpost duty in front of his unit, left his foxhole, crawled toward the two hostile grenade throwers and, undaunted by wounds received from grenade fragments, destroyed them with his rifle and bayonet, thus removing a serious threat to the defense of the hill. Private Corkill’s audacious aggressiveness and gallantry reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.