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 Fred B. Gonzales (ASN: RA-19291498), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 19 May 1951, in the vicinity of Kunmul-gol, Korea. On that date, the Second Platoon, of which he was a member, was forced to withdraw to higher ground due to a fanatical attack by a numerically superior enemy force. Sergeant Gonzales, a squad leader, remained with his squad on the forward slope of the hill covering the orderly withdrawal of the platoon. Upon rejoining the platoon, a check of his men revealed that one member of his squad, the assistant squad leader, was missing. Sergeant Gonzales, with complete disregard for personal safety, returned to the squad’s former position and aided the assistant squad leader, who was pinned down by intense enemy fire, to return to the platoon safely. This act of bravery undoubtedly prevented an inevitable casualty. Sergeant Gonzales’ devotion to duty and comrades, sustained heroism and courage reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.