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 (Infantry) Francis J. Derivan (ASN: 0-987097), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Korea. On 6 March 1952, Lieutenant Derivan and two other volunteers departed the friendly main line of resistance for a point approximately 1200 yards behind enemy lines from where they could direct artillery fire on hostile targets which were on the reverse slopes of an enemy-held ridge and were not visible from friendly observation posts. On the way to the objective the party came under intense enemy machine-gun fire but skillfully maneuvering around this obstacle, Lieutenant Derivan fearlessly led his men on to a position from where they could best observe the enemy positions. From this point he calmly directed rapid and accurate artillery fire on the foe and despite the fact that their presence was known, they remained within the enemy lines for two hours, directing fire that destroyed a huge ammunition dump, six bunkers and numerous enemy troops. Exhausting all profitable enemy targets he then cunningly led his men back to friendly lines. Lieutenant Derivan’s gallant and determined actions behind the enemy lines reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.