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 Odell Whitaker (ASN: US-52016295), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 4 October 1951, as Company A attacked a tenacious enemy force on Hill 281, near Chungse-ri, Korea, the First Platoon, in which Private Whitaker operated an automatic rifle, initiated the assault; as the unit moved up the hill, it was subjected to a great volume of enemy small arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and artillery fire, pinning it down. Cognizant of an enemy bunker responsible for the greatest amount of fire, Private Whitaker voluntarily left his position and, fully exposed to the intense enemy fire, advanced upon the position. When a few yards from the bunker, he rose to an upright position and raced forward pouring a great volume of fire into the emplacement, silencing its occupants. Having accomplished this, Private Whitaker was aggressively pressing forward against the foe when struck by the hostile fire and mortally wounded. The singular gallantry and courage displayed by Private Whitaker reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.