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 First Class Nathan C. McCalla (ASN: RA-12302025), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company (then Company G), 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 20 September 1952 in the vicinity of Chorwon, North Korea. On that date, Sergeant McCalla was serving as a Squad Leader of the advance platoon as it started its assault up Hill 266, “Old Baldy”. When they had reached the crest of the hill, they were halted by a murderous barrage of enemy hand grenades. He immediately placed his men in defensive positions, but remained in an exposed position while directing their line of fire. Although within enemy hand grenade range, Sergeant McCalla with complete disregard for personal safety, constantly moved from position to position in order to check his men and coordinate their fire. During the height of the battle, although painfully wounded, he continued to direct the fire of his comrades and throw hand grenades at the enemy forces with deadly accuracy. Refusing medical treatment for himself, he picked up a badly wounded man who was unable to walk and carried him down the hill to the aid station through a heavy concentration of enemy artillery, mortar, and small arms fire. When he reached the aid station, he placed the wounded man upon a Personnel Carrier and made sure the rest of the wounded were on before allowing himself to be evacuated for medical treatment. The heroic leadership and courageous actions displayed by Sergeant McCalla reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.