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 First Class Raymond A. Gignac (ASN: ER-31267736), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On the night of 8 August 1952, two platoons of Company L, 3d Battalion, of which Sergeant Gignac was a member, were assigned the mission of assaulting a well-fortified enemy position in the vicinity of Chokko-ri, Korea, and capturing a prisoner for intelligence purposes. As the friendly units approached their objective, they were subjected ton intense hostile small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire, inflicting several casualties among them. In view of the critical situation, the order was given to withdraw. At this time one of the friendly casualties, exposed to hostile automatic weapons and grenade fire, called for an aid man. Upon hearing the calls of the wounded man, Sergeant Gignac disregarded his personal safety as he dashed across the fire-swept terrain, firing his automatic carbine to within twenty yards of enemy positions to the side of his wounded comrade. Picking up the casualty, Sergeant Gignac continued to fire his weapon, forcing the enemy to take cover until he had carried him to a position of safety. He then participated in a frontal assault to evacuate the remaining casualties from the battlefield. Sergeant Gignac’s outstanding gallantry, courage, and devotion to his fellow soldiers reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.