The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Kenneth G. Stauffer (ASN: 0-2014693), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company M, 3d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 27 July 1950 near Hadong, Korea, Lieutenant Stauffer returned to an area just vacated by his unit in order to bring out wounded and rescue stragglers. Ignoring the concerted hostile mortar and small arms fire, he crossed a river six times to bring to safety some 87 men. He made three trips into hostile mountain villages to search for wounded despite the fact that he might easily be trapped. As he returned, he destroyed abandoned equipment which he could not move. He removed booby traps from a jeep and directed its return. He helped put out the fire in a prime mover loaded with ammunition and towing a 105-mm howitzer and saved that equipment. Lieutenant Stauffer’s gallant devotion to his men, unflagging determination, and outstanding soldierly ability are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.