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] Roscoe M. Pridemore (ASN: RA-15378842), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Service Company, [then Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion], 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, gallantry in action against the enemy on 18 May 1951 in the vicinity of Chaun-ni, Korea. On this date, a numerically superior enemy force penetrated friendly lines and were attacking the rear command post. During this action, Corporal Pridemore, a rifleman, observed an enemy soldier advancing toward the operations tent. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he unhesitatingly left his position of comparative safety to engage the enemy soldier. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Corporal Pridemore advanced over the fire swept area and in the hand-to-hand combat that followed killed the foe with his bayonet. His courageous action undoubtedly saved the vital documents and the lives of the personnel in the operations tent. The gallantry in action and devotion to duty displayed by Corporal Pridemore on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.