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 [the Corporal] Joe P. Gonzales (ASN: RA-19316623), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Yongpyong, Korea, on 1 January 1951. His squad was given the mission of guarding a strategic draw which, if penetrated by the enemy, would separate the platoon on the left from the rest of the company. The initial enemy contact was made to the left but soon his squad was under intense small arms fire and a fanatical charge by an estimated enemy company. Hand grenades were exploding within his perimeter as he calmly called for mortar and artillery fire to be placed immediately in front of his position. By this action he denied the enemy this avenue of approach, resulting in approximately 35 casualties among the enemy and covered the rest of the companies they withdrew to new positions. He repeated exposed himself to this withering attack as he ran from hole to hole giving encouragement and orders to his men. He held his men in position in the face of great odds until ordered to withdraw and successfully provided a covering force for the rest of the company. His devotion to duty and disregard for his own personal safety inspired his men to hold this position and aided immeasurably in his company’s withdrawal. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Gonzales, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.