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) Travis J. L. Stephens (ASN: 0-1590251), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company M, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Korea. On 21 April 1952, elements of Company L were assigned the mission of assaulting enemy positions near Kojanha, Korea. As the lead squad advanced toward its objective it was subjected to an intense hail of enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire and was in danger of being cut off by a large enemy force. Lieutenant Stephens, leader of the machine gun platoon, left his position of comparative safety and moved across the fire-swept terrain, shouting words of encouragement to the men and directing their fire upon enemy positions. Observing that the assault elements were receiving a lethal hail of automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Stephens, with utter disregard for his personal safety, moved across the devastated area to a field telephone and a point from which he could direct friendly artillery fire. Although knocked to the ground by an exploding enemy mortar round, Lieutenant Stephens remained in this exposed position, directing such accurate artillery strikes that the enemy weapons were soon silenced. When the order to withdraw was given, Lieutenant Stephens unhesitatingly remained behind and directed artillery to within fifty yards of his own position in order to provide covering fire for the friendly unit. The outstanding gallantry and inspirational leadership displayed by Lieutenant Stephens was a vital contribution to the success of the mission and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.