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 Donald C. Curtis (ASN: RA-18273271), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company D, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 27 November 1950 in the vicinity of Kujang-dong, Korea. On that date he was a member of a patrol that had been assigned the mission of reconnoitering enemy positions. As the patrol advanced into enemy territory, it was pinned down by heavy enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Private Curtis, acting as left flank security, voluntarily assumed an exposed position where he could most effectively engage the enemy, and draw their fire away from the patrol. He remained in this extremely exposed position, with utter disregard for his personal safety, until all members of the patrol had withdrawn into a defilade position His exemplary conduct under fire was an inspiration to his comrades and enabled the patrol to withdraw to safety with a minimum of casualties. The gallantry displayed on this occasion by Private Curtis reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.