The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Armor) Antonio L. Baca (ASN: 0-454336), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of the 2d Armored Reconnaissance Company, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 30 November 1950 in the vicinity of Kunu-ri, Korea. The 2d Reconnaissance Company was part of a vehicular column of the 2d Infantry Division which was withdrawing southward under overwhelming enemy pressure. The convoy was halted by a fire block established by two enemy regiments who were strongly entrenched on commanding ground on both sides of the escape route. Captain Baca voluntarily moved forward on foot, in full view and under direct fire of the enemy, in order to make a reconnaissance. After making an estimate of the situation and helping to clear the road of wrecked or stalled vehicles which were then under fire, he returned to three of his tanks and led them to the crests of a hill where the column was receiving the most intense fire from several machine guns located on another hill to the front. Disregarding the machine gun fire directed at him, he remained in full view of the enemy while pointing out targets to his gunners. An enemy anti-tank gun near the machine gun positions suddenly opened fire on the tanks but Captain Baca fearlessly remained in place and continued to direct tank fire. Heavy fire from the lead tank destroyed a hostile machine gun position, dispersing several enemy troops nearby. Then Captain Baca, while still on foot, led the tanks down the exposed road, offering protection for the column and giving it the necessary impetus to start rolling again. In this he succeeded and the column followed the tanks out of the fire-swept zone to safety. The aggressive and inspiring leadership of Captain Baca at a critical time and in the face of overwhelming odds contributed greatly to the successful passage of the division column through the hostile fire block and in saving countless numbers of lives. The gallantry displayed by Captain Baca reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.