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 Edmund E. Nesrsta (ASN: RA-6244515), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action near Anju, Korea, on 4 November 1950. His company, defending the bridgehead along the Chongchan River, was attacked from the flank and rear by overwhelming numbers of the enemy who quickly overran the company’s positions. Rallying a group of the company headquarters personnel he placed his men in position and succeeded in holding the enemy at bay for two hours. Savagely attacking, the enemy, many times closed to within a few yards of his positions, but was beaten off by Sergeant Nesrsta’s accurate carbine fire and well placed grenades, while the remainder of the company retired. When finally encircled and his ammunition supply almost exhausted he ordered his men to withdraw, while he covered, with continued fire, their movement to new defensive positions. Sergeant Nesrsta’s courageous actions, unhesitant devotion to duty and superior leadership enabled other elements of his company to withdraw without casualties and reflect the greatest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.