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 Virlen Elden Kelly (Kelley) (ASN: RA-15427494), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, near Pyeru, Korea, on 14 October 1951. His company had the mission of securing a strategic terrain feature which was defended by an estimated battalion entrenched in well prepared, camouflaged positions. Sergeant Kelley, Squad Leader, led his men up the right flank of the objective. Advancing along the nearly veridical slope he directed the fighting, firing an accurate and devastating line of fire into the enemy hordes, and eventually forcing them to withdraw after a hard and bitter fight. As friendly infantrymen consolidated their new positions, they were subjected to an intense enemy mortar barrage. Under cover of this barrage and heavy weapons fire, the fanatical enemy hordes launched a massive counterattack. As the weight of the charges reached overwhelming proportions, the order to withdraw was received. Sergeant Kelley voluntarily remained behind in an exposed position to cover the withdrawal of his unit. With utter disregard for his own safety, he ran to a fallen comrade’s position and took his place at the machine gun, firing a deadly base of fire into the enemy. He killed 25 to 30 enemy troops and wounded many more before his position was overrun and he was mortally wounded as he was still attempting to protect his comrades. Sergeant Kelley’s courageous actions, intrepid tenacity and self-sacrificing performance of a mission far beyond the call of duty reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.