The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Chester H. Crawford (ASN: 0-1314449), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action near Chaeryong, Korea, on 17 October 1950. During an advance his company was pinned down by the well placed mortar and machine gun fire of an enemy force estimated at battalion strength. With complete disregard for his own safety he advanced to an exposed position at the head of his company. Maneuvering his platoons so as to effect a three-sided encirclement of the enemy he aggressively led the assault. When one of his platoons was held up by intense machine gun fire he secured a machine gun and ammunition and moved, through a hail of fire, to a vantage point from which he placed a great volume of deadly fire on the enemy’s positions. Destroying this source of the enemy’s strength he rejoined the assault platoon and continued the attack, and the men, inspired by his fearless example overran the positions and drove the enemy off in complete disorder. Captain Crawford’s courageous actions, complete devotion to duty and exemplary leadership reflect the greatest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.