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 Willie C. Gooden (ASN: RA-14333324), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a Medical Aidman with the Medical Company, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 13 August 1950 near Haman, Korea, when the company to which he was attached as Medical Aidman was subjected to an attack by a large enemy force, Private First Class Gooden moved about the area to administer aid to the wounded. When hit in the leg by enemy mortar fragments, he continued to render medical aid until the enemy had been repelled and all casualties had been evacuated from the area. Only then did he report to the aid station for treatment of his wound. Private First Class Gooden’s selfless devotion to duty and his comrades reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Army.