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 [then Corporal] Ralph H. Kieferle (ASN: RA-12323122), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Battery A, 3d Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Self-Propelled), 3d Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of Koto-ri, North Korea, on 6 December 1950. On that date, Sergeant Kieferle was on a mission to rescue a convoy that had been ambushed and was under a heavy concentration of enemy fire. Sergeant Kieferle immediately brought fire on the well-emplaced enemy. In complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Kieferle went out under heavy small-arms fire to remove a wounded man to cover where he could received medical aid. Sergeant Kieferle then backed his vehicle out of a narrow mountain road and continued firing at the same time to allow the convoy to withdraw. Due to the coolness and leadership of Sergeant Kieferle, the mission was a success. The gallantry and intrepid actions of Sergeant Kieferle on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.