The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospitalman First Class Perry Eugene Bumgarner (NSN: 9316422), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Medical Corpsman attached to a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Korea, on 13 September 1951. When his platoon was pinned down under intense hostile mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire during the attack against a strongly fortified enemy hill position, Hospitalman First Class Bumgarner courageously exposed himself to the heavy fire, moving quickly forward to render aid to the casualties. Although suffering painful shrapnel wounds during the engagement, he steadfastly and expertly continued to administer first aid and to carry the wounded to covered positions. Throughout the intense, two-hour battle, he refused to seek safety for himself, and was responsible for treating a total of twenty wounded men under heavy fire and saving many lives which undoubtedly would have been lost without prompt medical attention. By his selfless and heroic devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Hospitalman First Class Bumgarner served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.