Norberto Rivera

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Norberto Rivera (US50109255), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On the night of 20 July 1952, a platoon of Company A, of which Private Rivera was a squad leader, was assigned the mission of assaulting enemy fortifications on a hill in the vicinity of Chokko-ri, Korea. As the forward elements of the friendly unit neared their objective, they encountered intense enemy machine gun fire and were ambushed by the foe. Seeing that his squad was becoming disorganized, Private Rivera immediately regrouped the members of his unit, personally led them to within a few yards of the nearest machine gun emplacement and succeeded in silencing the enemy weapon. Realizing the foe had the advantage of fire power and fortifications and that it would be fatal to press the attack, Private Rivera ordered his men to withdraw. During the withdrawal he remained behind and provided his squad with effective covering fire. Upon rejoining his unit at a position of safety and noticing that a member of his unit was missing, he disregarded his personal safety, returned to the fire swept terrain, located the wounded man and personally carried him to the safety of friendly positions. the gallantry and selfless actions displayed by Private Rivera were instrumental in saving the life of a fellow soldier and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.