The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Maurice Darden Ridgway (ASN: RA-18354878), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company I, 3d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, near Somak Tong, Korea, on 26 June 1951. His company had the mission of attacking and securing Objective QUEEN, a strategic hill occupied by approximately three companies of enemy troops. Advancing up a narrow ridge, the friendly infantrymen were suddenly subjected to an intense concentration of small arms, grenade and mortar fire. The unit took a stand and returned the withering hail with deadly accuracy. After several hours of hard fighting, however, the company had expended most of its ammunition in making only a short advance. The situation became perilous because of an imminent enemy counterattack. It was then that Corporal Ridgway arrived, leading a group of 65 South Koreans laden down with ammunition. Although having just brought the supply barges through a rugged, 1,000-yard gauntlet of enemy fire, he refused to rest. He immediately loaded part of the carrying party with litters of wounded soldiers and assigned the rest to assisting the injured who could stand. Despite murderous enemy fire and the panic of the Koreans, Corporal Ridgway successfully led the group back to the rear, where proper medical attention was available. He continued to bring critically needed supplies to front line positions. Although each trip meant difficult maneuvering over treacherous mountain terrain and almost continuous exposure to enemy fire. As a direct result of his tireless efforts and indomitable determination, his comrades were afforded the means to repel enemy counterattacks, and to make a progressive, although highly contested advance. With the capture of the objective assured, Corporal Ridgway was completing his last return trip to the rear when an enemy mortar round landed in his immediate vicinity, and mortally wounded him. Corporal Ridgway’s courageous action, magnificent intrepidity and self-sacrificing devotion to duty contributed immeasurably to the success of his unit’s mission, reflect the highest credit on himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the United States Infantry.