The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Rudolph R. Pogreba (ASN: RA-36818757), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 3d Engineer Combat Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, in action on 16 July 1950, near the Kum River Sector, Korea. During a withdrawal of the 19th Infantry Regiment from a line along the south bank of the Kum River, Sergeant Pogreba repeatedly braved the intense enemy small arms fire to maintain communications with the members of his platoon who were manning nine prepared road blocks. When an officer and two enlisted men became casualties from the ever increasing volume of enemy fire, he unhesitatingly and at great risk to his own life, evacuated them to the protection of a medical aid station. Later, when the Regiment was forced to withdraw to a new position, Sergeant Pogreba again braved the dangers of the enemy’s withering fire and proceeded to the foremost roadblock. On his orders, the road block was successfully exploded and the men manning these positions led back to the safety of the friendly lines without a single casualty. The superior leadership and unhesitant devotion to duty of Sergeant Pogreba with complete disregard for his own safety hampered the enemy’s threatened advance and served well to inspire his men. These gallant actions in the face of overwhelming enemy odds reflect great credit on himself and the military service.