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 Gerald J. Whipple (ASN: RA-12287658), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Heavy Tank Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 1 March 1951, near Sokch’on-ni, Korea, Corporal Whipple was working as a part of a team with the mission of retrieving one of three tanks which had become submerged and mired in the Han River. Suddenly, a barrage of heavy mortar and small arms fire fell on the men. The platoon sergeant was killed and his body thrown into the water. Although wounded himself in the left hand and in the back, Corporal Whipple, completely disregarding the enemy mortar fire, plunged into the icy water of the river in an attempt to recover the sergeant’s body but was unable to do so because of the swiftness of the current. Bleeding profusely from his wounds, his body numbed from exposure to the frigid water, he managed to cling to the side of one of the tanks until rescued by fellow tankers. Corporal Whipple’s daring and heroic gallantry reflect great credit upon himself and exemplifies the high traditions of the military service.