The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Master Sergeant Cooper T. Turner (ASN: RA-35733013), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, near Sesim-ni, Korea, on 3 to 4 February 1951. Master Sergeant Turner’s company was defending in preparation for continuing the attack to the Han River. About 2300 hours, the enemy launched the first of a series of attacks in tremendous force mass. These attacks were covered and supported by the most intense small arms, machine gun and mortar fire. About 0400 hours the final attack came and it was an all out effort by the enemy to shatter the Battalion line. They came in wave upon wave and the full fury of their supporting weapons was unleashed. Under this savage attack, the unit on the right flank of Company C began to bend and was finally driven back. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sergeant Turner immediately took his support squad and put them in position on the now open flank. When the enemy put great pressure there in an effort to overrun the company, he was met by withering fire from Sergeant Turner’s group. This battle continued for almost an hour and he continually ignored both his own safety and the hail of enemy fire falling about him to move up and down the line encouraging his men and directing their fire. Finally the order came for the company to withdraw. Realizing that some covering fire must be given or his small group would be overwhelmed by the mass of pursuing enemy, he ordered his men to leave while he remained behind to give fire cover. He did this in the face of the most staggering odds with no weapon but his M-1 rifle. However, he fired with such accuracy that the pursuit was actually stopped long enough for his men to move away safely and intact. In carrying out this covering action, he was mortally wounded. Count of enemy dead after the position was re-taken, showed that he killed over 25 of the enemy dead in his single-handed stand. Sergeant Turner’s courageous actions and exemplary leadership reflect the greatest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.