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 Emilio S. Zapico (ASN: RA-06866455), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 23 – 24 June 1951, near Sobang-san, Korea, Sergeant Zapico’s platoon was assigned the mission of securing a ridge line on the west side of Hill 717. After advancing approximately 50 yards up the slope, the unit was suddenly subjected to intense machine gun fire from both flanks. Noticing that the leader of the second squad, which had been dispatched around the left flank, was wounded and his men pinned down by enemy machine gun and sniper fire, Sergeant Zapico fearlessly worked his way forward through the withering fire to the squad’s position. Instructing the squad to cover him, he single-handedly assaulted the machine gun nest with grenades, destroying the weapon and killing two enemy soldiers. Continuing his attack, Sergeant Zapico killed a sniper with accurate rifle fire, thus enabling the squad to resume its advance. Sergeant Zapico’s exemplary gallantry and aggressiveness reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.