The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant [then Sergeant First Class] Russell V. Bartlett (ASN: RA-35755161), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery C, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 12 February 1951 in the vicinity of Changbong-ni, Korea. Battery C was attacked by a large enemy force which had broken through frontline defenses. Despite heavy enemy mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire, Sergeant Bartlett remained at his post as Chief of firing battery supervising the firing. When the battery was ordered to march to an alternate position, he remained in the area until the last vehicle had departed supervising the deployment of rear guard elements. After the battery had traveled a short distance it was halted by the capture of the lead vehicles in the column. Sergeant Bartlett immediately set a howitzer into firing position to protect the rear of the column which was about to be attacked by enemy forces. As the enemy attacked, he proceeded to lay direct fire into them which resulted in the assault being repulsed. The enemy then attempted to silence the howitzer with mortar fire. Although wounded by shell fragments, Sergeant Bartlett remained at the howitzer and continued to lay direct fire on the enemy who had regrouped and were attacking the convoy again. Because of his accurate fire and efficient leadership, repeated attempts by the enemy to capture the remaining vehicles and equipment were repelled with heavy losses. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Bartlett reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.