Ernest B. Hefley

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Second Class Ernest B. Hefley, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 30 November 1950. Hospital Corpsman Second Class Hefley serving as a Corpsman was assigned duty with a rifle platoon. During a fanatical attack by enemy forces he fearlessly and without regard for his own personal safety repeatedly exposed himself to enemy rifle, machine gun and mortar fire to administer to wounded Marines. On one occasion he courageously ran seventy-five yards along a ridge line in plain view of the enemy to give first aid to a wounded Marine. After treating the casualty and supervising his evacuation, he, himself sustained hand wounds from an enemy grenade. Although painfully wounded and suffering from loss of blood, he refused medical treatment and directed first aid treatment and evacuation of two other casualties before he submitted to treatment and evacuation. Hospital Corpsman Second Class Hefley’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.