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 Albert W. Okken (ASN: RA-16035296), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company H, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 25 April 1951, near Taejon-ni, Korea, H Company’s defensive position was partially overrun by the numerically superior enemy and the order to withdraw was given. Sergeant Okken, heedless of the withering enemy fire, voluntarily remained in an exposed position and continued to engage the enemy in order to allow his comrades time to safely withdraw. Although pinned down momentarily by the intense hostile fire, he fearlessly regained his position and succeeded in killing ten enemy soldiers before he was forced to withdraw in the face of overwhelming odds. The gallantry, courage, and aggressiveness displayed by Sergeant Okken reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.