The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal [then Private First Class] Joe M. Begay (ASN: US-56144291), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company F, 2d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, near Kumsong, Korea, on 16 October 1951. His company was attacking an enemy-occupied objective. The two assault squads had nearly attained the top of a strategic knoll when they were subjected to a tremendous volume of enemy automatic weapons and grenade fire from positions above them and were forced to withdraw temporarily. Discovering that the squad’s air panel, used to mark friendly positions as protection from allied aircraft, had been left at the highest position they had attained, Corporal Begay volunteered to return for it. Leaving his position of cover, he started threading his way through the enemy fire and grenades. Upon reaching the panel, he rolled it up and tossed it down to his comrades. Then, with complete disregard for his own safety, he advanced on the first enemy position, a machine gun emplacement. Approaching within range, he tossed a grenade into it, silencing the weapon and killing two hostile soldiers and wounding another. Rearming himself with some enemy grenades found in the destroyed position, he again braved the devastating enemy fire and assaulted a second bunker. His deadly tosses wiped out this position also, killing two and wounding another of the enemy. The five remaining enemy on the knoll were so panicked by his single-handed attack that they threw down their arms and surrendered, enabling the mission to be successfully accomplished. Corporal Begay’s courageous action, aggressive initiative and selfless performance of duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Infantry.