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 Paul A. Kearney (ASN: RA-37806475), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, Division Artillery, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 30 November 1950, in the vicinity of Kunu-ri, Korea. Private Kearney was riding in a convoy proceeding through an enemy fire block set up on both sides of the road used by our troops. At one point, when the convoy rounded a turn in the road, an enemy machine gun opened fire on the vehicle in which he was riding, halting the column and causing all men on the truck to take cover in the ditches nearby. Seeing the seriousness of the situation, Private Kearney voluntarily left his position of cover and in full view of the enemy gunners manned the .50 caliber machine gun which was mounted on the kitchen truck. Though the enemy machine gunner fired continuously at him, Private Kearney displayed great courage by firing heavily at the enemy machine gun, eventually silencing it and permitting his comrades to remount the truck and start the convoy on its way. The gallantry displayed by Private Kearney reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.