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 [then Private First Class] Benjamin Lujan (ASN: RA-18367238), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 1 September 1951 in the vicinity of Mandae-ri, Korea. On that date, during an attack on an enemy-held hill, Corporal Lujan’s squad was pinned down by intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Corporal Lujan instructed his men to seek cover and provide covering fire while he advanced toward an enemy machine gun emplacement. Disregarding the intense fire from a neighboring enemy position, he succeeded in destroying the bunker and inflicting numerous casualties upon the enemy. Returning to his unit, he reorganized his men and continued the attack until the objective was successfully secured. The gallantry in action displayed by Corporal Lujan on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.