The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Arthur J. Levesque (ASN: 0-1899406), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Heavy Mortar Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 14 February 1951, near Tan-ni, Korea, as Lieutenant Levesque’s company was proceeding in a mortar convoy, it made contact with a large enemy column. Realizing that his company was greatly outnumbered, Lieutenant Levesque jumped from his vehicle and rushed out to the enemy soldiers who were less than fifty yards away. Upon calling to the enemy to surrender, he was immediately met with a hail of bullets from a hostile submachine gun on the flank. Giving up attempts to persuade a surrender, Lieutenant Levesque attempted to shoot the enemy machine gunner but his carbine failed to function. With no regard for his safety and despite intense hostile fire, he boldly ran forward, closed with the enemy soldier, wrestled the submachine gun from his opponent and took him prisoner, and then opened fire on the enemy forces with the gun. He succeeded in capturing another prisoner during heavy enemy fire forced him to seek cover. Lieutenant Levesque’s daring action so surprised and confused the enemy that the remainder of his mortar company was enabled to move up and cover his withdrawal to the column with the two prisoners. The exceptional gallantry and outstanding bravery displayed by Lieutenant Levesque reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.