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 Private George E. Vernon (ASN: RA-17196930), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a member of Company H, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Infantry), at Ichon, Korea, on 30 July 1950. Private Vernon was a member of a heavy machine gun section given the mission to fight a delaying action to keep the enemy out of Ichon as long as possible. He held his machine gun position as the first two waves of enemy Infantry came on, and was responsible for many of their casualties. The first two waves of enemy having been driven off, a third wave started in. Private Vernon continued his fire on the oncoming enemy until all his machine gun ammunition had been expended. He grabbed his individual weapon and began to fire again. He soon realized that he was running low on small arms ammunition. He fixed his bayonet and with total disregard for his own safety, charged the enemy line until all the remainder of his ammunition had been exhausted. He then fired several rifles which the enemy had discarded, and also threw grenades which resulted in the enemy being thrown into a state of fear and confusion, forcing them to retreat. The heroism displayed by Private Vernon on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and the military service.