The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Richard Burton McManus, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Hoengsong, Korea, on 12 February 1951. On this date, the 2d Battalion Combat Team, 17th Infantry Regiment, was withdrawing in a convoy from Hoengsong to Wonju. The enemy had infiltrated the positions flanking both sides of the road and were raking the column with mortar, automatic weapons, and small
arms fire. Several vehicles had been set afire by the enemy, and a wounded soldier was lying in the back of a truck when it caught fire. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant McManus Left the comparative safety of the road bank and rushed to the flaming truck. He successfully pulled the wounded soldier out of the truck and carried him to safety. While accomplishing his valorous mission, Sergeant McManus was mortally wounded. Sergeant McManus’s gallantry and self-sacrifice on this occasion reflect great credit on himself and the military service. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant McManus, 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.