The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Elmer Earl Holcomb (ASN: ER-37051547), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 18 May 1951 in the vicinity of Kunmul-gol, Korea. On that date, Company C was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. Sergeant Holcomb, with complete disregard for his personal safety and under intense enemy fire, moved from one position to another encouraging his men. When the company was finally forced to withdraw, Sergeant Holcomb voluntarily remained behind to fight a courageous rear guard action while his comrades withdrew to better defensive positions. During the ensuing action, while hurling hand grenades and inflicting numerous casualties upon the enemy, Sergeant Holcomb was fatally wounded by enemy fire. The gallantry and self-sacrificing devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Holcomb reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.