The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Zeb S. Scales (ASN: RA-24983334), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery B, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 23 September 1951 in the vicinity of Hill 931, Korea. On this date Sergeant Scales, a member of the artillery forward observer’s party, was attached to a friendly unit during its attack on an enemy-held hill. Having secured its first objective the company was consolidating for the next when the enemy launched a counterattack, forcing friendly units to withdraw. Sergeant Scales, with complete disregard for his personal safety, remained in his position and adjusted artillery fire on the attacking hostile forces. Despite the intense hostile machine gun, mortar and small arms fire, he calmly continued this courageous action. His accurate and effective fire inflicted numerous casualties upon the hostile forces and before they could reach the positions where friendly units had withdrawn, they were forced to discontinue their mission. As a result friendly forces were able to continue the assault on their final objective and secure it without difficulty. The gallantry in action and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Scales reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.