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 [then Private First Class] Martin Roland (ASN: RA-12270350), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 17 May 1951, in the vicinity of Pungchon-ni, Korea. On that date Corporal Roland was serving as a machine gunner. During an attack an enemy soldier crept up on the bunker in which the machine gun crew was positioned and threw in a hand grenade. Instantly and boldly Corporal Roland picked up the deadly missile and threw it out of the bunker. Then he leaned out of the bunker with complete disregard for the intense enemy fire striking the ground, located the enemy soldier, and shot him with his pistol. His alertness and courage thus were responsible for saving himself and his comrades from certain death or injury. The gallantry displayed by Corporal Roland reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.