The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Armor) Edward Painter Crockett (ASN: 0-62497), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a member of Tank Company, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division, near Pisi-Gol, Korea, on 25 April 1951. Advance elements of a large enemy task force assaulted the First Battalion of the 5th Regimental Combat Team and the 555th Field Artillery Battalion just as these units were withdrawing from a blocking position and forming a road column to head south. As the enemy opened up from high ground on both sides of the road, many vehicles were damaged and blocked the road. As friendly casualties mounted, the enemy began to deploy in an enveloping movement to annihilate the entire 5th Regimental Combat Team and several other friendly units. These units were covering for the remainder of the Division, which had already been withdrawn to the south, and were assembling to the west of the enemy attack area. Lieutenant Crockett was ordered to attack south to relieve this pressure on the Infantry Battalion and the Field Artillery Battalion. He executed this maneuver with great skill and daring over the rough terrain he was forced to use due to the vehicles which blocked the road. Despite several enemy attempts to launch a general attack, Lieutenant Crockett, continuously exposed to intense fire as he lead the action from the turret of his tank, succeeded in knocking out several strategic enemy positions. Reaching the southern flank of friendly lines, he succeeded in directing intensely accurate fire on an enemy company which repeatedly tried to break through the lines. This enemy company was completely annihilated. The enemy’s psychological advantage, gained through the devastating surprise of his initial attack was eliminated by Lieutenant Crockett’s brilliant defensive leadership. Under the protective fire which he directed, the beleaguered units took care of their wounded and completely reorganized while the remainder of the 5th Regimental Combat Team and other units withdrew over an alternate en route to the west. Once again, the enemy made a savage attack in an attempt to destroy the column. With utter disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Crockett directed his tanks in firing point-blank into the enemy and also in destroying the abandoned vehicles and equipment. Lieutenant Crockett’s courageous actions and brilliant leadership enabled his regiment and other friendly units to withdraw safely from almost certain annihilation and inflicted severe casualties on the enemy. These actions reflect the highest credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.