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 Lewis J. Walton (ASN: RA-14416671), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 9 October 1951 in the vicinity of Mundung-ni, Korea. On that date after securing a strategic hill, the platoon of which Private Walton was a member was counterattacked by a numerically superior and fanatical enemy force. When his unit was forced to withdraw, Private Walton remained behind and evacuated his wounded comrades to safety. On numerous occasions, despite the intense hostile small arms, automatic weapons, grenade, and mortar fire, he remained behind the withdrawing troops so as to make certain that no wounded remained to fall into enemy hands. When his unit counterattacked, Private Walton rejoined his men and advanced upon the enemy position with marching fire and grenades, inflicting numerous casualties upon the enemy. His dauntless courage and selfless devotion to duty greatly aided his unit in regaining its position. The gallantry in action displayed by Private Walton reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.