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] Joe F. Thrash (ASN: 0-998176), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Medical Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 28 September 1952, elements of the Medical Company were reconnoitering a hill in the vicinity of Sanghyong-Myon, Korea, to locate friendly casualties. The process of evacuating the wounded men was impeded by the heavy enemy small arms and mortar fire being projected upon the immediate area. Realizing that the delayed evacuation of the wounded men was resulting in the loss of friendly lives, Lieutenant Thrash personally led three search parties through enemy fire to hasten the evacuation of the casualties. During this action, he carried several men to a point from where they could be safely evacuated by litter jeeps. Lieutenant Thrash’s gallantry was directly responsible for saving many of his fellow soldiers’ lives and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.