The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Roger C. Fredell (ASN: RA-16300031), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Battery A, 15th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Self Propelled), 7th Infantry Division, in action at Hoengson, Korea, on 13 February 1951. On that date, Private Fredell was performing his duties as cannoneer on an M-16 multiple machine gun half-track which was protecting a crossroads to permit passage of vehicles of a withdrawing task force. During the night, the ammunition trailer of his M-16 was set on fire by enemy action. Private Fredell, despite heavy enemy fire, crawled onto the trailer to extinguish the blaze. Soon after his initial action, the trailer was stuck by an enemy mortar shell which blew burning gasoline onto the M-16 tracks. Without regard for his own safety, Private Fredell braved intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire to extinguish the flames and in so doing was wounded by enemy fire. Saying nothing to his comrades about his wound, he resumed his post and kept the guns firing as the half-track advanced on the enemy. Subsequently he was seriously wounded and evacuated to a position of safety. Private First Class Fredell’s gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.