The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Pascual M. Manipon, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Tank Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action on 27 August 1950 on Hill 409 near Hyong-pung, Korea. On 27 August 1950, Sergeant Manipon was serving as Tank Commander in a tank-infantry reconnaissance in force on Hill 409 with the mission of recovering U.S. dead and evacuating wounded. As the patrol moved forward to close with the enemy, which were strongly entrenched on the hill and had complete observation of the terrain over which the movement was made, they were subjected to heavy concentrations of mortar, 51-mm. anti-tank rifle and small arms fire. Sergeant Manipon, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, deliberately exposed himself on the tank in order to draw this withering fire and so enable the other tanks and infantrymen to accomplish their mission. As a result of Sergeant Manipon’s gallant action, the patrol was successful in rescuing and evacuating several wounded comrades and recovering the bodies of U.S. dead. Sergeant Manipon’s courageous action is in keeping with the highest standards and traditions of the military service.