The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Kenneth W. Sells (ASN: ER-19242255), United States Army, for as a member of Company K, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action near Na-san, Korea, on 20 May, 1951. His company, pinned down be enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire, was launching a strong counterattack when the enemy showered the company’s position with concussion and fragmentation grenades. Private sells, providing flank security for a machine gun, observed a grenade thrown within destructible range of the emplacement and near his position. In picking up the grenade and attempting to throw it back at the enemy, he was seriously wounded when the grenade exploded. The courage and fortitude displayed by Private Sells in this gallant action, which doubtless prevented serious injury and possible death to many of his comrades, reflect singular credit on himself, the infantry, and the United States Army.