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 Stephen J. Shilney (ASN: RA-16282068), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 2d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 18 July 1952 in the vicinity of Chorwon, North Korea. On that date, Corporal Shilney was serving as Public Information Office correspondent with Company E, which was engaged in a bitter struggle with a numerically superior enemy for possession of Hill 266. Sensing the seriousness of the situation, he voluntarily joined in the battle, accompanying each wave of the assault, delivering a deadly stream of fire on the hostile defenders. Noting a friendly tank in the area that was suspected of housing enemy troops, he crossed the fire swept terrain, and after ascertaining the occupants were friendly troops, he remained in an exposed position, adjusting the tanks fire upon the enemy positions on the crest of the hill. In rejoining the assaulting forces, he spotted an enemy sniper that was endangering the friendly forces. Fearlessly charging the sniper’s position, he killed him with a hand grenade. When the attacking unit was forced to withdraw, he saw two wounded comrades near the crest of the hill. Making a dash through the intense enemy fire, he successfully evacuated both to a position of comparative safety, although wounded while rescuing the second man. His actions undoubtedly saved the lives of his two comrades and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.