The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) David F. Bird (ASN: 0-2262997), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 30 April 1951, in the vicinity of Saorang, Korea. Lieutenant Bird led his platoon on a patrol with the mission of dislodging the enemy from established positions and to capture a prisoner. The enemy was so well-entrenched on the hill that neither artillery nor air strikes could force him to withdraw from his positions. As the artillery barrage lifted, Lieutenant Bird disregarding his own safety, exposed himself to the intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, while leading his platoon in a vigorous assault against the enemy. He had advanced to within a few yards of the enemy when he was wounded in the chest. Realizing that it was impossible to dislodge the numerically superior and well-fortified enemy with his small force and utterly heedless of his own painful wound, Lieutenant Bird skillfully directed a withdrawal to more favorable positions, thus being responsible for saving of many lives. The gallantry displayed by Lieutenant Bird reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) David F. Bird (ASN: 0-2262997), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 14 March 1951 in the vicinity of Yusil-li, Korea. The platoon led by Lieutenant Bird was engaged in a determined assault on a well-entrenched enemy located on the side of a steep, rugged hill. As the platoon advanced up the slope of the hill, it was met by intense enemy fire. Completely disregarding the hail of enemy fire, Lieutenant Bird constantly exposed himself while directing the fire of his men. As he thus approached the hostile positions, he gave the command to fix bayonets and led the platoon in a final rush upon the enemy which so demoralized the opponent as to bring him out into the open. The heroic leadership of Lieutenant Bird was responsible for the complete elimination of all resistance in that area, resulting in 50 enemy dead and 15 prisoners without a casualty being incurred by the assaulting platoon. The gallantry displayed by Lieutenant Bird reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.