The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Jose Vinente-Garcia (ASN: US-51113825), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Korea. In the early morning hours of 20 July 1952, a platoon of Company A, 1st Battalion, of which Corporal Vicente-Garcia was a member, was assigned the mission of making contact with the opposing forces in the vicinity of Chokko-ri, Korea. As the leading elements of the friendly unit neared their objective, they were brought under a hail of hostile small arms fire and the murderous fire of three enemy machine gun emplacements. During this initial hostile action, the platoon leader was mortally wounded and Corporal Vicente-Garcia sustained severe wounds. Disregarding his intense pain and refusing medical aid and evacuation, Corporal Vicente-Garcia assumed command of the platoon and set up a perimeter of defense. Oblivious to the hostile fire and disregarding his personal safety, he dashed about the fire-swept terrain, shouting words of encouragement and lead a squad in destroying the nearest hostile machine gun emplacement. When the volume of enemy fire increased and forced the withdrawal of the friendly unit, he recovered the body of the mortally wounded platoon leader, acted as rear guard and directed the withdrawal of the friendly unit with its wounded. Corporal Vicente-Garcia’s aggressive leadership and gallantry were instrumental in saving the lives of his wounded comrades and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.