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 [then Sergeant] Howard Stevens (ASN: ER-17010538), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company F, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 20 August 1951 in the vicinity of Soktunji, Korea. When his Company Commander was seriously wounded by enemy artillery, Sergeant Stevens took over the command of the company and set up a blocking action to allow the wounded to be evacuated by helicopter. He helped carry the wounded forward observer to the helicopter through three miles of enemy artillery fire. The gallantry in action displayed by Sergeant Stevens reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.