The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Maynard A. East (ASN: RA-27577476), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. At midnight on 18 November 1950, near Majon-ni, Korea, the enemy successfully effected a penetration through a sector of the perimeter defense. Corporal East from his position of safety volunteered to lead a patrol to plug this gap. Upon coming in range of enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, Corporal East halted, properly deployed his patrol, and continued up the steep and rocky hill. Corporal East advanced toward the foxholes taken by the enemy, threw hand grenades into two foxholes, killing the enemy occupants. In spite of being completely exposed to enemy fire, he searched the other foxholes for enemy troops. The heroic action of Corporal East forced the enemy from the perimeter defense and plugged a gap in the line which otherwise might have permitted a larger body of troops a point of entry. The gallantry displayed by Corporal East reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.