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 [then Corporal] Eric C. Strand (ASN: ER-19257660), United States Army, for in action while serving with Battery B, 10th Field Artillery Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 27 – 28 September 1951, Company F of the 7th Infantry Regiment was occupying defensive positions on Hill 395, near Yaksang-dong, Korea, when the enemy made a night attack, using an estimated three companies. The hostile onslaught concentrated on one platoon which was forced back, making a dangerous gap in the defenses. Sergeant Strand, a reconnaissance sergeant and a member of an artillery forward observer party attacked to Company F, realized that close cover artillery fire could do much to stop the enemy charge. Disregarding the incessant small arms, mortar, and artillery fire, he voluntarily raced to the observation post and repeatedly exposed himself in order to direct friendly artillery fire on the enemy. This shattering barrage turned the enemy attack into a state of confusion, causing the foe not only to withdraw from the company’s perimeter, but also to obtain a nearby hill only recently occupied. The fearless initiative and gallant devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Strand reflect high credit upon himself and the military service.