The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Ernest W. Raffey (ASN: US-51039854), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Medical Company, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Korea. On 27 March 1952, elements of Company I were assigned the mission of assaulting a strongly defended enemy outpost known as “Tombstone”, near Kojansang-ni, Korea. As the initial assault wave neared the objective, it was subjected to an intense hail of enemy machine gun and small arms fire, immediately wounding two men. Unhesitatingly Private Raffey, a medical aidman, made his way over the shell-torn terrain to the side of the wounded men and quickly and skillfully rendered aid and offered them words of encouragement. Seeing a man wounded approximately ten yards from a hostile fortification, Private Raffey completely disregarded his personal safety as he crawled through the withering enemy fire, firing his weapon as he advanced, until he got to the side of his wounded comrade. After rapidly rendering first aid, he assisted the wounded man back through the lethal enemy fire to safety. Throughout the engagement Private Raffey inspired the men with his intrepid actions and his skillful aid was instrumental in saving the lives of several of his fellow soldiers. Private Raffey’s outstanding gallantry reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.