Jose A. Rivera-Carrion

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Jose A. Rivera-Carrion (RA57011159), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 19 February 1951, near Myongil-li, Korea, G Company’s mission was to capture Hill 88 and, as the company moved into the assault, it immediately received intense enemy small arms fire. Because of the enemy’s almost perfect use of camouflage and color, detection of their emplacements was difficult. When the order for the final assault was given, Private Rivera-Carrion, with complete disregard for his personal safety, immediately ran in front of the advancing company to charge the enemy positions with hand grenades. He blasted the enemy out of the dugouts so that his advancing comrades were able to inflict heavy casualties and drive the enemy from the hill. After Hill 88 was secured, heavy enemy mortar fire caused several casualties in other platoons and Private Rivera-Carrion voluntarily assisted in the evacuation of the wounded although mortar rounds were still falling in the area. The gallantry and courage displayed by Private Rivera-Carrion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.