The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Eugene Carl Kohfield (AFSN: AO-1903101), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy as Pilot of an H-5G Rescue Helicopter of Detachment ONE, Third Air Rescue Squadron, FIFTH Air Force, in action in Korea, on 13 September 1951. On that date, Lieutenant Kohfield flew into a concentration of enemy anti-aircraft fire in a valiant effort to rescue United Nations airmen shot down over the Korean battle line. While stationed at a forward air control post as a helicopter pilot, Lieutenant Kohfield learned from a radio report that a friendly aircraft has crashed behind enemy lines. To avoid delay in effecting the rescue, Lieutenant Kohfield took off immediately with his aero-medical specialist, met a fighter escort and proceeded to the site of the crash. While en route, Lieutenant Kohfield was notified by the suppression CAP that the fighter pilot had not survived the crash, but that a T-6 observation plane had been shot down in the same vicinity. Survivors of the second crash had been sighted. Lieutenant Kohfield flew his helicopter directly to the scene and began a descent, determined to land and complete a rescue. As he descended, the anti-aircraft fire became intense and accurate, resulting in several hits and major damage. He advised his fighter escort that he was losing control and would have to turn back. In spite of his personal dilemma, Lieutenant Kohfield called for another helicopter to complete the mission as he would attempt to fly his disabled aircraft to friendly territory. Lieutenant Kohfield’s helicopter was observed to disintegrate in the air and crash over United Nations’ terrain. Lieutenant Kohfield’s determined effort to effect a rescue despite overwhelming odds, his courage and devotion to duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.