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 [then Private First Class] Tautomo Hironaga (ASN: US-50000537), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 23 April 1951, in the vicinity of Popsu-Dong, Korea, units of the 65th Infantry were moving up to establish defensive positions on a new line. It was vastly important that they complete this movement in the shortest possible time, but not having had previous opportunity to reconnoiter their positions, the various companies of the regiment were not sure where they should set up their respective defensive emplacements. Corporal Hironaga, disregarding his own safety, volunteered to assume the unusual and difficult responsibility of guiding one of the companies to its sector of the line. Despite enemy fire and total darkness, he selected the route and successfully led the company to its proper place. After the unit had occupied its defenses, Corporal Hironaga moving across open terrain, to establish contact with other units, became involved in a fire fight and was unable to rejoin his unit until the following day. Corporal Hironaga’s voluntary assumption and successful completion of an extremely hazardous mission reflects the highest credit upon himself and is in keeping with the most gallant traditions of the military service.