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 Vernon G. Mulligan (ASN: RA-13276949), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Chonan, Korea, on 5 July 1950. Company B and Company C were in a defensive position when they were attacked by an enemy force estimated to be two regiments. During this engagement Private First Class Mulligan was firing his machine gun with such accuracy that it inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. His position was subjected to such intense and accurate small arms and mortar fire that the tripod was shout out from under his machine gun. Undaunted by this he placed the machine gun on an ammunition box and continued to deliver effective fire on the enemy. Again the enemy fire was so intense and accurate that the ammunition box was shot out from under his machine gun. At this point six of the enemy had penetrated the positions of his unit. With disregard for his own personal safety he picked up the machine gun and laying the barrel across his arm continued to fire, killing all six of the enemy. He kept firing in this manner until his unit was forced to withdraw and he had expended all his ammunition, at which time he destroyed the machine gun with a hand grenade and withdrew with the remainder of his unit. This gallant action on the part of Private First Class Mulligan reflects great credit on himself and the Military Service.