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) Joe E. Fields (ASN: 0-2024266), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 64th Heavy Tank Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 6 February 1951, near Chechlong, Korea, as he was riding in the lead tank of a tank and infantry column, Lieutenant Fields saw that the company’s advance was being halted by intensive enemy artillery and small arms fire. Discovering that he no longer had radio communication with the company, Lieutenant Fields dismounted from his tank, under a barrage of concentrated enemy fire, and moved into exposed positions to personally direct the fire of his platoon and other units on enemy targets. Using hand and arm signals, he remained in the open for approximately two hours, moving from tank to tank in guiding their fire. When the enemy fusillade had lessened, Lieutenant Fields mounted his tank and remaining exposed in the turret covered the infantry’s assault on the hostile forces positions. His intrepid actions enabled the infantry to storm the foe’s emplacements with a minimum number of casualties and the entire task force to move on to its ultimate objective. Lieutenant Fields’ courageous leadership and gallant behavior on the field of battle reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.