The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Karl Nagel, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near the Chosin Reservoir in Korea on 29 November 1950. On this date, Private Nagel was serving as a rifleman supporting a tank attack against heavily armed enemy positions. When the order for withdrawal was given, Private Nagel acted as guard for two wounded men who were placed on the deck of one of the tanks for evacuation. After the tank had begun its withdrawal, it was attacked by an enemy machine gun which forced the three men from the tanks’ deck onto the frozen ground where they lay exposed to enemy fire. The friendly troops withdrew and left Private Nagel and his two comrades as dead. The enemy also thought the three men were dead, however Private Nagel and one of this companions, though severely wounded, pretended they were dead. After the enemy had deserted, Private Nagel, though wounded in both legs and suffering great pain, picked up his wounded comrade and carried him toward a friendly position. Private Nagel carried his comrade as far as possible and then left him to crawl to friendly troops to obtain help. The gallantry and devotion of Private Nagel to his fellow soldier reflect great credit on himself and the military service.