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 First Class Richard W. Pendell (ASN: RA-12242080), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company F, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 7 April 1951, near Hant’an, Korea, while operating as a component part of “Task Force Hawkins”, Sergeant Pendell’s squad came under heavy enemy automatic weapons fire from an enemy entrenchment. The intensity and accuracy of the fire forced his squad to the ground and its forward movement ceased. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Pendell charged across the open ground through the hail of fire and sprayed the enemy positions with automatic carbine fire. Upon running out of ammunition he seized a discarded submachine gun, and continued his relentless attack, killing one enemy and capturing 7 others, thus opening the way for the capture of the objective. Sergeant Pendell’s gallantry, courage, and aggressiveness reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.