The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Private First Class Fred L. Walz (MCSN: 666583), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against an armed enemy while serving with the FIRST Provisional Marine Brigade, near Chingdong-ni, Korea, on 7 August 1950. On this date, Private First Class Walz, a rifleman, with complete disregard for his personal safety, repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy thereby drawing their fire so that he and members of a machinegun squad could locate enemy positions. As a direct result of his courage the machinegun squad was able to destroy two enemy machineguns and four automatic weapons. Repeatedly Private Walz crawled through enemy fire to the edge of a ridge to throw hand grenades down upon the enemy positions. While so engaged he was wounded but remained cool and crawled out under heavy machinegun fire to seek medical attention at the aid station. The gallantry displayed by Private Walz reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.