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 First Class Albert E. Sparks, Jr. (ASN: RA-13428715), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. During the early morning hours of 24 June 1953, in the vicinity of Chat-Kol, Korea, the main line of resistance positions of Company K were attacked by a numerically superior enemy force supported by heavy barrages of mortar and artillery fire. As the assault commenced, Private Sparks rushed forward, positioned himself atop a trench and proceeded to direct rapid automatic rifle fire upon the advancing forces. He remained there throughout the action, ignoring the enemy fire as well as the variable time rounds from United Nations artillery. Firing constantly, he mortally wounded many of the foe then overrunning the United Nations defenses and refused to return to a sheltered position until the attack had been repelled. Private Sparks’ outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.