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 Joseph A. Lemieux (ASN: ER-11167556), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, gallantry in action against the enemy on 3 September 1951 in the vicinity of Yanggu, Korea. On this date Company C was attacking a well fortified enemy hill. Sergeant Lemieux, platoon sergeant, was leading his platoon against a group of enemy bunkers known to be heavily mined and booby trapped. Realizing that small arms fire alone would be insufficient to destroy the enemy positions, he directed his men to arm themselves with all the grenades they could carry. Armed solely with a bag full of grenades, Sergeant Lemieux worked himself forward through intense enemy fire. From an open ridge line position he began throwing grenades amidst a heavy concentration of enemy fire, destroying the majority of the enemy and enabling his platoon to route the remaining few. Immediately upon reorganizing his platoon, Sergeant Lemieux, while leading his men to another hill, was mortally wounded by an enemy round. The gallantry in action displayed by Sergeant Lemieux reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.