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 Marvin M. Piper (ASN: RA-17000746), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery A, 37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 16 September 1950, in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea. On that date he was an artillery forward observer attached to a rifle company which was under attack by numerically superior enemy forces. He adjusted and directed artillery fire upon the enemy until his communications were severed by hostile fire. He then attempted to contact his Battalion Fire Direction Center by radio, but was unable to do so because of the hilly terrain. Realizing the urgency of the situation he voluntarily and with complete disregard for his personal safety advanced under heavy mortar and artillery fire to an exposed position on the highest part of a hill where he was able to establish radio communications with the Artillery Liaison Officer. In spite of the intense hostile fire directed at his position he remained at his post adjusting artillery fire, until his radio was destroyed and he was severely wounded. The artillery fire directed by him inflicted numerous casualties upon the enemy and was instrumental in the successful defense of our Infantry elements. The gallantry and high devotion to duty displayed on this occasion by Sergeant Piper reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.