The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Canuto Valenzuela (ASN: ER-57634955), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 3 June 1951, K Company’s defense line near Sasong-ni, Korea was fiercely attacked during the night by a large enemy force with the sector occupied by the Second Platoon receiving the brunt of the assault. The savage nature of the attack, the resulting heavy casualties, and darkness combined to cause much confusion, threatening that portion of the perimeter with collapse. Sergeant Valenzuela, immediately left his position in the command post and alternately running and crawling, moved from foxhole to foxhole shouting instructions and encouraging the men to stabilize their positions. Ignoring the barrage of bursting grenades and deadly hail of automatic weapons fire, he personally placed in the most advantageous locations all reinforcements sent to bolster the sagging line. Because of heavy casualties and the numerical superiority of the enemy force, the remainder of the platoon was compelled to fall back to more tenable positions in order to regroup. The withdrawal successfully accomplished, the reorganized unit, led by Sergeant Valenzuela, vigorously counterattacked and retook the area, thus restoring the defensive perimeter. The valiant leadership and gallant determination exhibited by Sergeant Valenzuela reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.