The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Corporal] Douglas B. McAlpine (ASN: RA-19336830), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a member of Service Battery, 37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 26 and 27 September 1950, near Hyopchon, Korea. On this date, Sergeant McAlpine was in charge of several trucks hauling gasoline from Service Battery to the firing batteries. When they took the wrong road at a crossroads and joined a convoy of 23d Infantry trucks, they were attacked by a numerically superior enemy. Sergeant McAlpine realized that, being at the end of the column, he would have to furnish his own defense. He immediately placed his men in the best defensive position and during the attack continually exposed himself to enemy fire, encouraging his men and pointing out targets for them enabling them to turn back the attack on the rear echelon of the column. The gallantry and inspiring leadership displayed by Sergeant McAlpine reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.