The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Wallace W. Jarvela (ASN: RA-16331462), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 3 July 1951, near Chich-on, Korea, when B Company’s assault on Hill 586 was threatened with failure due to the intense enemy fire, Sergeant Jarvela immediately moved his squad forward to lead the assault elements. Working his way up the hill to within 20 yards of an enemy automatic weapons position, he silenced it with a grenade. Fearlessly continuing his advance, Sergeant Jarvela suddenly encountered two hostile soldiers hurling grenades, and quickly killed them with a burst from his carbine. The superb gallantry and courageous leadership displayed by Sergeant Jarvela immeasurably contributed to the successful seizure of the hill and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.