The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Richard L. Fortune (ASN: RA-192435000), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 4 September 1950, in the vicinity of Hyopchon, Korea. On that date, Company B was forced to withdraw and take up better positions. When the enemy started a heavy probing attack on the company’s new positions, Sergeant Fortune voluntarily exposed himself to enemy fire while he covered the rocket launcher crew as they withdrew. He then directed fire on an enemy machine gun nest and destroyed it. Later, upon learning that five men were missing, he again exposed himself to intense fire and returned to the company’s former positions. Finding the five men trapped there, he took charge and organized them into a tight perimeter. He was later wounded in both legs, but continued fighting until the enemy had been completely annihilated. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Fortune reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.