Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 18, 1951

    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 391 (August 3, 1951)

    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 Clyde S. Wilborn (ASN: RA-25741117), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 18 May 1951, in the vicinity of Chaun-ni, Korea. On that date the 2d Battalion was engaged in a defensive action against an overwhelming number of enemy forces. The enemy had established flanking positions and were infiltrating the battalion perimeter. Realizing the danger of the battalion command post being overrun by the enemy, Sergeant Wilborn quickly organized a squad and led it to the high ground above the Command Post. Although the area was subjected to intense enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire, he skillfully deployed the squad in such an effective blocking position, and directed its fire, inflicting heavy enemy casualties and delaying the enemy advance. During this action Sergeant Wilborn continually exposed himself to the heavy enemy fire while moving from one position to another encouraging his men to greater efforts. As a result of his heroic actions, the enemy was halted long enough to allow the battalion command post personnel to reach an area of comparative safety. He saved his unit many casualties by preventing the enemy from overrunning the area. The gallant conduct of Sergeant Wilborn reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.