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 First Class Steve Vich (ASN: RA-35890170), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 15 September 1950 in the vicinity of Yongsan, Korea. A numerically superior enemy force launched a heavy attack against Company K and threatened, by weight of numbers, to overrun its positions. In the initial phases of the engagement, the gunner of Private Vich’s automatic rifle team was wounded. Private Vich immediately seized his fallen comrade’s weapon and, under intense fire from the advancing enemy, placed a deadly base of fire into the hostile troops, killing at least six of them. During the firefight he was wounded by, disregarding his pain, he remained in position aiding another comrade in the operation of the weapon. After receiving emergency treatment for his wound, he returned to the position and assisted in raking the attacking enemy with heavy fire until he was ordered to be evacuated. The gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by Private Vich reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.