The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph McCoy (ASN: 0-2006186), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a member of Japan RTC, 8042d Army Unit, APO 613 (then Company K, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division in action against an armed enemy on 10 January 1951 near Wonju, Korea. On that date he was a member of a tank-infantry patrol which had the mission of reconnoitering the route to Wonju inflicting as many casualties as possible upon the enemy. The route over which the patrol was to travel was known to be occupied by the enemy; but in spite of this, Lieutenant McCoy proceeded on the mission. With complete disregard for his personal safety he exposed himself to small arms fire while standing on the turret of his tank manning a .50 caliber machine gun. On the return trip the patrol encountered heavy enemy fire and a firefight occurred which destroyed one jeep containing five enlisted men. Upon learning that the five enlisted men had been left behind, Lieutenant McCoy turned his tank around and returned through intense enemy fire to the position of the abandoned men, placed the five men on his tank and returned them to safety. The gallant conduct of Lieutenant McCoy on this occasion reflects great credit upon him and the military service.