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 Stanley J. Kirla (ASN: US-51167641), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On the night of 16 April and during the early morning hours of 17 April 1953, Private Kirla was the leader of a machine gun squad which formed part of the support group for a friendly reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Unjang-Ni, Korea, when the patrol was attacked by three reinforced platoons of hostile forces. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Private Kirla exposed himself to intense hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire to direct the machine gun crew to the most advantageous field of fire. He then took personal charge of the machine gun and when a wave of hostile forces came charging at his position, he delivered intense and accurate fire into their ranks, forcing the enemy to retreat, and inflicting several casualties. After the first attack was repelled, Private Kirla exposed himself to hostile fire to help administer first aid and evacuate three of the wounded. Returning to his machine gun, he repulsed a second hostile assault. He then obtained a radio and called for litter teams and friendly artillery on the enemy positions and later returned to his machine gun, remaining there until dawn. Private Kirla’s outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.