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 Louis M. Hendrickson, Jr. (ASN: US-56119559), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 11 October 1952 in the vicinity of Chorwon, North Korea. On that date, the platoon of which Private Hendrickson was a member, was assigned the mission of occupying and defending Hill 200 after the hill had been secured by a friendly rifle company which had moved on to the north, continuing the attack. Private Hendrickson and the members of his weapons squad were covering the occupation of the hill by the remainder of the platoon when the enemy counterattacked, pinning down the leading friendly elements by their intense small arms fire. Seeing the peril of his comrades, Private Hendrickson picked up a machine gun and fearlessly moved up the hill through withering hostile mortar and small arms fire. Immediately placing his weapon in action, he delivered a stream of accurate and deadly fire into the enemy positions, inflicting numerous casualties upon the enemy and enabling his comrades to secure their objective. The gallantry in action displayed by Private Hendrickson reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.