The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Kenneth W. Ritchie (ASN: 0-1824085), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 4 July 1951, Company B, 1st Battalion, dug-in on Hill 586, near Chich-on, Korea, was furiously attacked by the enemy, supported by a heavy artillery barrage. In the initial stages of the battle, an artillery shell scored a direct hit on the company command post, killing the commanding officer and seriously wounding the Executive Officer, Lieutenant Ritchie, who immediately assumed command. Under the continuing pressure of the fierce enemy assault, the company began to yield ground and tended to become disorganized. Although suffering from his serious wounds which rendered one leg useless and left him weak from loss of blood, Lieutenant Ritchie, deliberately revealing himself to the enemy fire, laboriously dragged himself from position to position, exhorting his men to hold their defense line and hurl back the fanatic attackers. Responding to his encouraging presence, the troops closed ranks and firmly resisted the punishing blows of the enemy forces. Later when the storm of battle had abated, Lieutenant Ritchie, in a gravely weakened physical condition, remained in control of his unit as he directed the workings of the litter bearers to evacuate the wounded to the rear. The resolute gallantry and compelling determination exhibited by Lieutenant Ritchie on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.