The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Alexander O. Martinez (ASN: US-56056999), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 17 May 1951, in the vicinity of P:ungchon-ni, Korea. During a counterattack launched by his company, Private Martinez, with complete disregard for his own safety, charged fiercely into enemy positions using rifle and grenade fire, and finally his bayonet. Utterly disregarding the intense point-blank fire directed at him by the enemy, he joined in the final assault with fixed bayonet, charging boldly into the enemy positions and driving the enemy before him. The gallantry displayed by Private Martinez reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.