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 Billy L. Brinkley (ASN: RA-38081155), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 72d Medium Tank Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 1 December 1950, Kunu-ri, Korea. On this date his company was fighting a rear guard action for a battalion of infantry in a mountain pass south of Kunu-ri. Enemy infiltrators had penetrated the friendly perimeter on the ridges above the pass, and were placing heavy small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire on friendly troops. Sergeant Brinkley determined the point of greatest threat and moved the tanks under his control into the enemy fire. He directed the fire of his and nearby tanks into the attacking enemy until his fifty caliber machine gun jammed. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he dismounted from his tank turret to secure another weapon to continue the fight. While crossing the fire swept road he was wounded by mortar fragments and machine gun fire. Sergeant Brinkley’s aggressive leadership, courage, and devotion to duty were instrumental in beating off the enemy attack, and reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.