The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Richard G. Whitaker (ASN: ER-16178490), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of 2d Reconnaissance Company, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 14 February 1951, in the vicinity of Chaum-ni, Korea. Sergeant First Class was a Scout Section Leader for the 2d Reconnaissance Company. With an attached rifle company, the 2d Reconnaissance Company established a perimeter around the town. The perimeter was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. Sergeant Whitaker, having placed his men in position, made several trips through intense mortar, small arms and machine gun fire to carry ammunition to his men. Seeing one of his machine guns overrun, Sergeant Whitaker, armed with a carbine and hand grenades, single-handedly attacked the enemy. His accurate fire forced the enemy to withdraw. He then recovered the machine gun and manned it himself. Inflicting heavy casualties upon the enemy. When orders were received to withdraw, Sergeant Whitaker exposed himself repeatedly, moving from position to position, notifying his men to move quickly. He then assisted in loading the wounded onto vehicles. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Whitaker reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.