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 Ralph W. Shelton (ASN: RA-16263778), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Ryong Bang-ni, Korea, on 6 February 1951. His company moved forward in a count attack with the mission of retaking Hill 329, which had been seized by enemy forces during a night assault. The second platoon, of which Sergeant First Class Shelton was a squad leader, had almost reached the top of the objective when they were pinned down in an exposed area by fierce enemy machinegun and grenade fire from cleverly concealed and camouflaged emplacements atop the hill. Realizing that unless the murdering hail of fire was stopped his entire platoon would be wiped out, Sergeant First Class Shelton immediately took hand grenades from some of his comrades and entirely on his own initiative, with utter disregard for his own safety, stood up into the intense fusillade and advanced toward the enemy positions, throwing grenades as he moved along. When he exhausted his supply he returned to secure more grenades and once again he dashed into the withering hail of fire toward one machine gun that was the principal bottleneck of the platoon’s advance. Arming his grenades and holding them for a sufficient length of time to secure assure himself that the enemy would not be able to throw them back, he tossed them into the emplacement, eliminating the weapon and killing the four man crew. The rest of the platoon was so uplifted by the daring courage of Sergeant First Class Shelton that they fixed bayonets and made a terrific assault up to the top of the hill, putting the remainder of thee enemy, completely demoralized, to flight. Sergeant First Class Shelton’s courageous actions, in the face of overwhelming odds, reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the United States Army Infantry.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ralph W. Shelton (ASN: RA-16263778), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division in Korea. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.