The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Howard K. Ray (ASN: RA-18277270), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 26 September 1950, in the vicinity of Kochang, Korea. On that date the battalion was advancing up the road by-passing enemy elements in the surrounding hills. As the motor convoy advanced up the road, the command post truck was brought under intense fire from three enemy machine gun emplacements, causing the column to halt and creating panic among the men. Sergeant Ray, seeing the great danger caused by the panic, fully exposed himself to the intense enemy fire as he climbed upon the truck and, with the assistance of another soldier, manned the .50 caliber machine gun mounted thereon. Opening an accurate stream of fire, Sergeant Ray succeeded in neutralizing the hostile fire, killing the gun crews and permitting the capture of 35 of the enemy. His daring and determined act further prevented a heavy loss of life and equipment in the halted column. The gallantry and utter fearlessness demonstrated by Sergeant Ray reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.