The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery), [then Second Lieutenant] Vernon R. Porter (ASN: 0-61804), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Battery, [then Battery A], 37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action from 21 thru 24 April 1951 in the vicinity of Hwachon Reservoir, Korea. During this period, Lieutenant Porter was an artillery forward observer assigned to Company B, 23rd Infantry Regiment, which was under heavy enemy attack while defending a ridge line. Lieutenant Porter, with complete disregard for his personal safety, continually remained in exposed positions to adjust effective artillery fire which succeeded in repelling several enemy assaults. When friendly units were ordered to withdraw to new positions, Lieutenant Porter voluntarily remained in his position to cover their withdrawal with artillery fire. Despite the intense enemy fire, he continued his courageous action until the unit had completely withdrawn, resulting in a minimum of friendly casualties. The gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Porter throughout this period reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.