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 Jerry L. Swank (ASN: RA-17293500), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company I, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 17 and 18 May 1951, in the vicinity of Pungchon-ni, Korea. During that night his company was bearing the brunt of heavy enemy attacks which penetrated to the main defensive line. Private Swank, an automatic rifleman, defended his bunker with fierce fire and hand grenades. When the enemy surrounded his position, he fought fiercely against the enemy, who at times, was in the very entrance to his bunker. For six hours he tenaciously held his position, inflicting very heavy casualties on the enemy, until finally the enemy was forced to withdraw. The gallantry in action demonstrated by Private Swank on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.