The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal [then Private First Class] Joseph D. Pendergast (ASN: RA-11144722), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 24 September 1951 in the vicinity of Samtae-dong, Korea. On that date Corporal Pendergast was a rifleman with a company which had the mission of assaulting a strongly fortified enemy-held hill. During the ensuing action Corporal Pendergast noticed a wounded comrade lying in a forward position under intense hostile fire. Without hesitation, he left his covered emplacement and advanced over the fire-swept area to the side of his comrade. At this point he observed that the stricken man’s leg was broken and upon improvising a splint he placed it on the shattered limb. In the course of this, Corporal Pendergast was wounded but only after he had placed his comrade in a comparatively safe position did he attempt to aid himself. His courageous action was highly responsible for saving his comrade’s life. The gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by Corporal Pendergast on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.