The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Coast Artillery Corps) Walter Killilae, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Headquarters, 82d Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Self Propelled), 2d Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of Kunu-ri, Korea, on 30 November 1950. On that date, Lieutenant Colonel Killilae was a member of the Command Group of a division convoy which was attempting to penetrate a roadblock which had been established by the enemy to cut off the withdrawal of the division. The convoy was halted by intense hostile fire. Lieutenant Colonel Killilae immediately dismounted and proceeded on foot to investigate the delay. From an exposed position he directed the fire of an anti-aircraft firing vehicle against an enemy machine gun emplacement. The fire destroyed the enemy position and enabled the column to continue. When the column was once more halted he again dismounted and, under the intense hostile fire which was raking the road, moved to the halted vehicles. Here he calmly fired his individual weapon on an enemy machine gun position, encouraging others to do likewise, until the enemy weapon and crew were destroyed. During the movement through the blocked area he displayed complete disregard for his personal safety as he directed the removal of wrecked vehicles which were impeding the progress of the column. As a result of his courageous actions, the convoy successfully penetrated the roadblock with a minimum loss of personnel and material. Lieutenant Colonel Killilae’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.