The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Joel F. French (ASN: RA-14380256), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery B, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 16 and 17 September 1951 in the vicinity of Yao-dong, Korea. On these dates Private French, a member of an artillery forward observer’s party, was attached to a friendly unit which had the mission of attacking and securing an enemy-held hill. During the attack, due to the intensity of hostile fire, friendly troops were forced to withdraw to cover. Private French, with complete disregard for his personal safety, secured a machine gun which had been abandoned and provided covering fire for the withdrawing troops. When his weapon failed to function he picked up a rifle and fired it upon hostile forces until the ammunition was exhausted. He then gathered all available grenades and tossed them at the enemy. Private French continued this courageous action using every weapon available and inflicting numerous enemy casualties until friendly units were able to regroup and continue their attack. The gallantry in action and devotion to duty displayed by Private French on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.