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 Olin C. Wilkinson (ASN: RA-39710773), 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 24 September 1950 in the vicinity of Hyopchon, Korea. On that date his regiment, supported by tanks, had the mission of crossing the Hwang River and securing the town of Hyopchon. Elements of the regiment had succeeded in crossing the river and had seized commanding ground. The tanks were deployed along the river and were supporting the infantry on the opposite side. Suddenly enemy fire was directed from the rear upon the tanks and the regimental command group, of which Sergeant Wilkinson was a member. Enemy machine gun and small arms fire, delivered by an estimated force of 200 enemy, was steadily growing in severity. Attempts were made to inform our tankers of the situation but because of the noise and the fact that the tank guns were all pointed across the river, fire could not be placed upon the enemy. Realizing the critical situation Sergeant Wilkinson left his position of comparative safety and dashed across the exposed terrain. Climbing aboard a tank, he commenced to deliver fire against the enemy with the .50 caliber machine gun mounted on the tank’s rear deck. Following his actions the tanks directed their guns against the enemy positions, destroying and dispersing the enemy and enabling the regiment to successfully accomplish its mission. The gallantry and initiative under fire displayed by Sergeant Wilkinson reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.