The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Howard E. Kurtz (ASN: ER-17195160), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 16 March 1951, in the vicinity of Yusil-li, Korea. Corporal Kurtz’s platoon had the mission of securing a high hill from a numerically superior enemy. As the platoon advanced upon the objective, it was suddenly pinned down by fire from an enemy machine gun. Corporal Kurtz, an automatic rifleman, realized the hazardous situation that confronted the platoon and courageously worked his way toward the machine gun. As he approached the position he fully exposed himself in order to throw several hand grenades which silenced the hostile machine gun. The gallantry displayed by Corporal Kurtz reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.