The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Morgan Leo Downs (ASN: RA-06570224), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, on 8 July 1950 near Chonan, Korea. During an enemy tank attack on the town of Chonan two squads of friendly troops were pinned down by their fire. Sergeant First Class Downs, with complete disregard of his own safety volunteered to act as gunner of a 2.36 rocket launcher after the original gunner became frightened. Although exposed from all directions to small arms and tank fire he got in position to begin firing the rocket launcher. The first three rounds fired by Sergeant First Class Downs were direct hits. At this point his position became more hazardous as the tanks had picked out the position from which he was firing and had started to swing their guns into position to fire on him. He again fired the launcher and scored a direct hit on one of the tanks. The four hits scored on the enemy tanks did not destroy or damage them to any extent due to their heavy armor plating. This courageous act and devotion to duty on the part of Sergeant First Class Downs gave the two squads of men enough time to seek cover and a place of safety. After Sergeant First Class Downs had fired the fourth round at the enemy tanks he was killed by a direct hit from one of the thanks. This gallant act and supreme sacrifice made on the part of Sergeant First Class Downs reflects the greatest credit on himself and the military service.