The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant [then Corporal] Raymond C. Minkel (ASN: US-56052993), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 9 October 1951 in the vicinity of Yanggu, Korea. On that date, Sergeant Minkel, an Automatic Rifleman, placed himself in a position which enabled him to neutralize an enemy strong point which was preventing his platoon from taking their objective. With utter disregard for his own safety, he advanced under murderous hostile fire and destroyed a bunker and connecting trench with hand grenades and Automatic Rifle fire. As a result of his brave act, four enemy soldiers were killed, thus allowing his platoon to continue their advance. As the friendly forces moved on toward the final objective, Sergeant Minkel placed himself at the head of the attack, moving through a tremendous hail of enemy fire in order to employ hand grenades and his weapon against the hostile emplacements. Although the enemy fought fanatically, the friendly forces took their objective and succeeded in holding it. Sergeant Minkel was directly responsible for killing eleven enemy soldiers in the course of the attack, in which the hostile forces suffered seventy-five casualties and twenty-seven captured. His quick thinking and courageous actions contributed greatly to the success of the mission. The gallantry in action displayed by Sergeant Minkel reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.