The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Eugene Louis McKinney (ASN: RA-15238094), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 2 June 1951, near Pangori, Korea, while crossing the Hant’an River, Company L was subjected to withering hostile machine gun fire, which halted the advance of the unit. Sergeant McKinney, leader of a recoilless rifle squad, fearlessly advanced through heavy enemy fire to a forward position in an effort to locate the hostile machine gun emplacement. After pinpointing the machine gun nest, he directed his gunner to fire upon the enemy, but the gunner was severely wounded before he got the recoilless rifle into operation. Without hesitation, Sergeant McKinney personally manned the weapon and, directing well-placed fire, neutralized the position. The outstanding gallantry and singular devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant McKinney enabled the unit to continue its advance and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.