Pedro J. Zayas

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Pedro J. Zayas (RA20025371), Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 19 August 1951, Company F was engaged in mopping-up operations against enemy troops, near Hoesan-ni, Korea, when it was fiercely attacked by a numerically superior hostile force. During the engagement, some friendly positions were overrun and the troops were forced to fall back; but Sergeant Zayas, fully exposed to small arms fire, encouraged the men to keep fighting and moved about consolidating the defense line. Although wounded, he manned a machine gun and hurled hand grenades against the enemy at close range while the other men, following his forceful example, rallied, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy who then abandoned the attack. Sergeant Zayas’ gallant and effective leadership reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.