The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Tommy M. Hallums (ASN: RA-14311760), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Medical Company, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 2 September 1950 in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea. On that morning, the Regimental Command Post was subjected to an intense enemy mortar and self-propelled gun barrage, which pinned down most of the personnel. One group of men, caught in the open by the sudden barrage, was pinned down in a rice paddy, with four members being wounded and in immediate danger of drowning. Corporal Hallums immediately, and with total indifference for his safety, dashed to the wounded men and administered first aid to them. After causing them to be evacuated, he made a thorough search of the rice paddy, searching for other wounded. Later he proceeded to a nearby outpost also under heavy enemy fire and continued his search for wounded comrades. The inspirational and gallant heroism displayed by Corporal Hallums on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and fully upholds the highest traditions of the military service.