Gilberto Calderon

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Gilberto Calderon (ER30411615), Corporal, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 22 December 1950, near Tong-ni, Korea, Corporal Calderon distinguished himself in action against the enemy. When an enemy column, which was approximately one-hundred and fifty in number, was moving toward his position, Corporal Calderon, assistant machine gunner, and the gunner waited until the column was about one-hundred yards from their machine gun and then commenced firing. Almost immediately a concentration of fire from mortars, automatic weapons, and small arms was brought by the enemy upon Corporal Calderon’s position but he continued to carry out his duties in an outstanding manner. During this action, he left the machine gun and went for ammunition through intense enemy fire. Upon returning he calmly assisted the gunner in repairing the machine gun which had jammed. As enemy mortar fire began landing as close as fifteen yards from his position, Corporal Calderon assisted in moving the machine gun to another position where he carried on his mission forcing the enemy to deploy and withdraw leaving behind eighty-one dead and four wounded. Corporal Calderon’s resourcefulness and heroism on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.