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 Sergeant Louis Henry Bird (ASN: RA-19237470), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company I, 3d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 24 September 1950 in the vicinity of Hyopchon, Korea. On that date Sergeant Bird, a rifle squad leader, was leading his squad up a heavily wooded hill in an attack against strongly defended enemy positions. The squad was within 50 yards of its objective when its advance was halted by a well-concealed enemy machine gun which opened fire from their right flank. Sergeant Bird immediately and fearlessly advanced upon the enemy positions, maneuvering from tree to tree. When he was but 20 yards from the hostile emplacement, the enemy gunners subjected him to intense machine gun fire. With complete disregard for the heavy fire directed at him, he fired his rifle until his ammunition was exhausted. He then fixed bayonet and intrepidly charged the enemy with only a grenade and his bayonet. He continued his undaunted charge in the very face of point blank machine gun fire to within a few feet of the hostile gun before he fell mortally wounded. His gallantry so inspired his comrades that they immediately resumed the attack, destroying the enemy gun and its crew and securing their objective. Sergeant Bird’s selfless sacrifice and gallantry reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.