Francisco Acevedo-Olivio

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Francisco Acevedo-Olivio (US50107130), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On the night of 28 – 29 January 1952, a reconnaissance patrol from Company B was ambushed and the forward elements of the patrol were surrounded and taken as prisoners. As a guard brought some rice into the barbed-wire enclosure where they had been placed, Private Acevedo-Olivo, a member of the patrol, took him by complete surprise by tearing the container from his hand, striking him in the face with it and running from the cage. While fleeing from the foe, Private Acevedo-Olivo was seriously wounded in the arm and leg, making it impossible for him to walk. With unflinching courage and an indomitable resolution to escape from the hands of the enemy, he crawled over four miles of snow-covered terrain and crossed a wide, icy river to return to friendly lines. His unwavering determination to return to his unit provided immense intelligence information about the enemy that could not otherwise have been obtained. Private Acevedo-Olivo’s gallantry reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.