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 Richard L. Pryor (ASN: RA-15282565), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters and Service Company, 6th Medium Tank Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Tong-dong, Korea, on 28 October 1950. Corporal Pryor’s platoon, making a reconnaissance deep into enemy territory, was subjected to intense mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire from an enemy force estimated at battalion strength. During the advance the platoon leader had left his tank to go ahead of the column probing for mines and wen fired upon his exact location was unknown. Corporal Pryor immediately set about to inform the remainder of the platoon by radio of the situation and completely exposed to intense fire, manned the tank’s .50 caliber machine gun in an effort to afford the platoon leader covering fire to reach the relative protection of the tank. With utter disregard for his own safety he continued to deliver a great volume of fire permitting his officer to return in safety and inflicting extremely heavy casualties on the attacking force which concentrated it main effort at Corporal Pryor’s tank. Throughout the fierce fight he remained in his completely exposed position, heedless of the fury of the fire directed at him. Corporal Pryor’s courageous action and complete devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the United States Armor.