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 Andrew Moloko (ASN: RA-33673079), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 1 December 1950 in the vicinity of Kunu-ri, Korea. On that date his company was forced to withdraw in order to escape envelopment by a numerically superior enemy force. The route of withdrawal lay through a fire-swept enemy roadblock. As the company proceeded in convoy, the enemy subjected the motorized column to such intense mortar and automatic weapons fire that the movement was halted and the unit was forced to abandon its vehicles. The unit commander decided to continue the withdrawal on foot, across mountainous and enemy-infested territory. Sergeant Moloko, without hesitation, volunteered to act as lead scout. Preceding the main body, he skillfully threaded his way through the enemy. At times he deliberately drew hostile fire upon himself so his unit could avoid detection. Throughout the sixteen hour long forced march, he manifested complete disregard for his personal safety that was a source of tremendous inspiration to his weary comrades. His fearless conduct during this critical situation contributed to a high degree to the success of the main body in reaching the safety of friendly lines with a minimum of casualties. The gallantry displayed on this occasion by Sergeant Moloko reflects the highest credit upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.