The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Peter C. Costopoulos (ASN: ER-31164360), United States Army, for gallantry while serving with Company B, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action on 28 July 1951, in the vicinity of Taeusan, Korea. On this date, during an attack on a strongly fortified enemy-held hill, Sergeant Costopoulos took over a machine gun and with an assistant advanced up the hill with marching fire under intense enemy small arms and grenade fire. When his assistant gunner was hit he advanced alone inflicting numerous casualties upon the enemy, continuing in this manner until he ran out of ammunition. He continued in action with his unit until seriously wounded by an enemy round and was ordered by his commanding officer to leave for medical attention, after he had previously refused. The gallantry and devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Costopoulos on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.