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 Corporal Stephen L. Bernier (ASN: RA-16318827), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Sesim-ni, Korea, during the night of 3 – 4 February 1951. His company was assaulted by the enemy in tremendous mass cover and supported by great numbers of small arms, machine guns, and mortars firing from close range. During the initial attack he observed the flashes of an enemy machine gun and engaged it with his automatic rifle. So accurate was his fire, that he soon killed the crew of four and dispatched seven enemy riflemen who attempted to recover the gun. His ammunition nearly expended during this attack, he left the safety of his foxhole and ignoring the intense fire sweeping the are went a long the company line collecting ammunition. Returning to his position he reloaded his magazines and during the second assault observed the blast of another enemy machine gun. Engaging this target he killed the crew of three and denied recovery of the weapon to the enemy. Many other targets were taken under fire by him during the attack as the masses of enemy rolled up to, but not over, the company positions. Many other targets were taken under fire by him during the attack as the masses of enemy rolled up to, but not over the company positions. Making his way through intense enemy fire he gathered all unfired belts and when the heaviest attack came he was ready with a full load of ammunition. The intense and extremely accurate fire which he was able to lay down was of the greatest value to the hard pressed company. When the company was ordered to withdraw under the terrific enemy weight he voluntarily remained behind covering the withdrawal of his platoon. Raking the enemy ranks as they approached to rangers where he could scarcely miss he stalled the enemy attack so thoroughly that the company withdrawal was greatly simplified. Although he again ran out of ammunition for his automatic rifle he was not yet ready to disengage and hurled rifle grenades with most disastrous effect upon the enemy. In this intrepid action he killed fifty of the enemy. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Corporal Bernier, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.