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 Ralph W. Rowe (ASN: ER-57220116), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 14 February 1951, in the vicinity of Chipyong-ni, Korea. On that date he was a runner for a rifle company which was in defensive positions and completely surrounded by numerically superior enemy forces. During this action the unit was subjected to intense enemy artillery, mortar, automatic weapons, and small arms fire, which severed communication lines between the company command post and one of its platoons. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Corporal Rowe volunteered to repair the lines. Realizing the necessity for communications, he repeatedly repaired lines which were time after time severed by the intense enemy fire. His courageous actions were instrumental to the fact that the vitally needed communications were maintained, thus enabling the company commander to maintain control of his platoons. The gallantry displayed by Corporal Rowe reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.