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 Samuel E. Overlease (ASN: US-55028492), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 17 May 1951, in the vicinity of Pungchon-ni, Korea. During a counterattack launched by his company, Private Overlease with complete disregard for his own safety charged fiercely into the enemy positions in the face of point-blank small arms and automatic weapons fire, and, during the final assault, utterly disregarded the intense enemy fire as he charged boldly into the enemy positions with fixed bayonet driving the enemy before him and inflicting heavy casualties upon them. The gallantry displayed by Private Overlease reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.