The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Patrick J. Dempsey (ASN: ER-12313468), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 18 May 1951 in the vicinity of Kunmul-gol, Korea. On this date Company C was defending strategic positions against a fierce assault by a numerically superior enemy force. Threatened by encirclement, Company C was forced to withdraw to better positions. Private Dempsey immediately saw the need for a delaying action and concentrated intense rifle and grenade fire upon the approaching enemy until his comrades reached safety. When last seen, Private Dempsey was returning to aid a wounded comrade. The courage, intrepidity and selfless devotion to duty demonstrated by Private Dempsey reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.