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 Private First Class Cecil Loncasesion (ASN: ER-38583256), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 29 November 1950, near Majon-ni, Korea, Private Loncasesion was part of a task force protecting a motor convoy traveling through the enemy guerilla infested territory when it was ambushed by a large enemy force. Heavy enemy fire from the dominating ridge lines caught one rifle company, a recoilless rifle section, and a machine gun in open terrain in the valley. Immediately, acting on his own initiative, Private Loncasesion placed his machine gun in action and commenced returning fire. Since most enemy positions were on the crest of the high ridge, he could not elevate his gun enough to place effective fire upon the enemy. Alone and expose, he, took up a sitting position, placed the butt of the machine gun on the ground, and cradling the gun in his arm, returned heavy fire upon the enemy positions. Although fully exposed to deadly enemy fire, Private Loncasesion remained in position and fired approximately two thousand rounds at the enemy. When his squad leader yelled to him to move to a more covered position, he, totally disregarding his personal safety, moved openly across the terrain to a position offering a better field of fire and some concealment, and in so doing was mortally wounded. The extreme gallantry and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Private Loncasesion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.