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 Donald J. Beach (ASN: US-55064156), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 29 July 1951 in the vicinity of Taeusan, Korea. On that date, as Company K advanced to secure a dominating terrain feature, Private Beach’s platoon was pinned down by intense hostile fire. An estimated enemy squad started to counterattack. Private Beach with his comrades, met the threatening enemy squad with heavy volume of fire, inflicting numerous enemy casualties and forcing the remainder to withdraw. Private Beach, with utter disregard for his own safety, moved up the slope of the hill, under the intense enemy fire, and with grenades destroyed the enemy emplacement which had his platoon pinned down. Private Beach’s heroic action enabled his platoon to advance and secure its objective. The gallantry in action displayed by Private Beach reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.