The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Corporal] Harold W. Latham (ASN: RA-18378712), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 29 August 1951 in the vicinity of Taeusan, Korea. On this date, during an assault upon the company’s position by a numerically superior enemy force, Sergeant Latham saw that the gunner on a heavy machine gun had been wounded and could no longer operate the weapon. Immediately Sergeant Latham left the safety of his position and went to the aid of the wounded gunner. In the face of intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire, he operated the machine gun and inflicted numerous casualties upon the enemy. As a result of Sergeant Latham’s courageous actions, friendly units were able to repulse the fanatical enemy attack. The gallantry in action displayed by Sergeant Latham on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.