The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ralph E. Peed (ASN: 0-999189), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company I, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division in action against an armed enemy on 17 and 18 July 1953, in the vicinity of Chung-Noksil, North Korea. At 2100 hours on 17 July 1953, Lieutenant Peed led a reconnaissance patrol out past the Main Battle Positions where they were suddenly hit by a devastating enemy mortar and artillery bombardment which inflicted several friendly casualties and caused the patrol to withdraw. However, Lieutenant Peed, completely disregarding his own safety, repeatedly returned to the impact area to evacuate the wounded. He continually exposed himself to the intense fire to assure the safe withdrawal of all his men. Later, a numerically superior enemy force, supported by a blistering barrage, hit the positions of Company I and threatened to overrun the beleaguered defenders. Seizing the initiative, Lieutenant Peed rushed the enemy soldiers and held them off with grenades and small arms fire. Shielding one of his men with his own body, he then withstood a small hostile force armed with burp guns managing to kill at least one and wounding several more. The intrepid actions of Lieutenant Peed were a major contribution to the successful defense of the positions and subsequent repulsion of the enemy. The gallantry in action displayed by Lieutenant Peed on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.