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 First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Joseph A. Binko (ASN: 0-1686634), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery A, 39th Field Artillery Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 3 July 1951, near Tosong-ni, Korea, Lieutenant Binko, a forward observer, was attached to Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, when that unit, occupying defensive positions on Hill 682, was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. Immediately, Lieutenant Binko raced to an exposed position and began to direct artillery fire upon the foe. While so engaged, he was wounded by fragments from a bursting enemy hand grenade; however, refusing medical aid, he retained his position and continued to call effective fire missions upon the hostile troops. At dawn, on 4 July, Lieutenant Binko observed the enemy massing for another attack and adjusted a large volume of artillery fire upon them, dispersing and forcing them to withdraw completely. The gallantry, courage, and professional skill displayed by Lieutenant Binko reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

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) Joseph A. Binko (ASN: 0-1686634), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery A, 39th Field Artillery Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 27 May 1951, Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, attacked a series of well-defended enemy emplacements near Habae-jae, Korea. When the unit was pinned down by withering enemy fire, Lieutenant Binko, attached to Company A as an artillery forward observer, courageously exposed himself to the hostile barrage in order to adjust friendly artillery fire. As a result of his fearless actions, the unit was able to resume its advance and overrun the enemy positions. Lieutenant Binko’s gallantry, professional skill, and selfless initiative ensured the success of the mission and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.