The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Philip J. Wilkes, United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 187th Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 12 February 1951, Company G, reinforced with one platoon of tanks, moved by road from Hoengsong toward Naktan-ni, South Korea, with the mission of breaking through strong enemy forces to entrapped elements of the 38th Infantry Regiment. The weapons platoon, of which Master Sergeant Wilkes was platoon sergeant, formed the rear guard in the movement through the enemy. As the column passed through a valley, the enemy opened fire on the weapons platoon with mortars, machine gun and small arms fire, in an attempt to surround the platoon and cut it off from the main body. Sergeant Wilkes was wounded in the leg when the first heavy barrage of mortar fire landed in his platoon. Despite his wound, and under heavy enemy fire, he carried four other seriously wounded men a distance of two hundred yards to the road, where they could be evacuated to the rear aid station. After evacuating the wounded, Sergeant Wilkes organized the rear elements of the platoon for defense against the enemy attack and personally stood off twenty of the enemy attempting to close in on his position. He then attacked an enemy position alone, throwing hand grenades, killing six and wounding several others. Sergeant Wilkes, while attempting to contact the lead tank of the tank force, in order to load the wounded personnel aboard for evacuation, was mortally wounded. The inspiring leadership, outstanding courage and concern for his comrades’ safety, reflects the highest credit upon Master Sergeant Wilkes. His act was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.