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 Thomas G. Ziek (ASN: RA-13256342), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 2 September 1950 in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea. Sergeant Ziek was a member of a tank-infantry patrol which had the mission of clearing the main supply route of enemy troops. As the patrol advanced into hostile territory it was subjected to such intense enemy fire that the patrol leader ordered all men to dismount and assume firing positions while the tanks turned about. In the initial burst of fire Sergeant Ziek was wounded. While the tanks were completing their maneuver, he observed a large group of enemy and immediately he leaped aboard a tank and manned its .50 caliber machine gun. Disregarding the intense fire striking all around him, he raked the enemy with machine gun fire and forced them to withdraw. He then went to the assistance of several wounded men who were attempting to climb aboard the tanks and, while aiding them, was rushed by approximately 20 enemy. Picking up an abandoned automatic rifle, he stood fully upright and faced the advancing enemy. He fearlessly held his ground and with his accurate fire killed and wounded several of the enemy, forcing the remainder to retreat. He then assisted the wounded board the tanks and, climbing aboard himself, continued to place automatic rifle fire upon the enemy positions until the patrol withdrew. The gallantry and devotion to his wounded comrades displayed by Sergeant Ziek reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.