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 Wesley E. Olsen (ASN: RA-14238587), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a member of the 24th Signal Company, 24th Infantry Division in action on 16 July 1950, north of Taejon, on the Kum River, Korea. During the defense of the Kum River Sergeant Olsen was in charge of a radio team which was working with the 19th Infantry Regiment. He remained at his post and continued to provide radio and telephone communications when the Regimental Command Post was under enemy attack and was receiving considerable mortar and small arms fire. When the order was given to evacuate the position Sergeant Olsen packed his equipment and started his team on their way with it. He then volunteered his services to the Regimental Commander and was the first man to lead a patrol which successfully knocked out a machine gun position that was firing on the Regimental Command Post. Later when an enemy tank was blocking the withdrawal of the unit, he again volunteered to take a jeep load of dynamite to be used in blowing up the tank. After traveling some distance the jeep was taken under direct fire by the tank and destroyed. During this engagement Sergeant Olsen was seriously wounded. The act of gallantry displayed by Sergeant Olsen reflects great credit on himself and the military service.