The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Arnold Elton Peterson (ASN: 0-2211173), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery B, 52d Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, near Kumson, Korea, on 15 October 1951. The rifle company to which he was attached as forward observer had the mission of securing a hill occupied by a strongly entrenched enemy force armed with automatic weapons, mortars and small arms. Lieutenant Peterson continually exposed himself in the face of the enemy as he moved forward to seek strategic targets and direct artillery fire. As a result of his fearlessness and skill, a large amount of enemy equipment was destroyed and numerous casualties were inflicted. After the objective had been successfully secured, he positioned himself at the crest of the hill to continue his vital mission. The enemy soon launched a savage counterattack. With complete disregard for his own safety he again exposed himself to hostile fire and played a vital part in repulsing the enemy hordes before he was mortally wounded by artillery fire. Lieutenant Peterson’s gallant actions, intrepid fighting spirit and self-sacrificing devotion to duty contributed immeasurably to the success of his unit’s mission and reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Army Artillery.