Vidal Reyes

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Vidal Reyes (RA10403872), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 4 June 1951, A Company’s First Platoon was assaulting an objective, near Unchon-ni, Korea, when a powerful enemy counterattack severed it from the main body of the company and left it without communication. Sergeant Reyes, realizing the seriousness of this situation, volunteered to lay wire across the embattled area and establish communication with the isolated platoon. Creeping and crawling forward through the rock strewn and bullet-swept terrain, he edged his way along stringing the ground wire behind him. During the hazardous mission, he was brought under fire by two enemy snipers, but, taking calm and careful aim with his own rifle, Sergeant Reyes killed them both. He then continued on his way, and reaching the cut-off unit, restored communication between it and the rest of the company. The steadfast gallantry displayed by Sergeant Reyes reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.