The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Harold H. Soderquist (MCSN: 585562), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner of Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 1 March 1951. When a fellow Marine was seriously wounded by enemy mortar fire during an engagement with numerically superior hostile forces, Corporal Soderquist fearlessly moved to the stricken man’s side and shielded him with his own body to protect him from further harm as the attackers continued to lay down heavy small arms, machine gun and mortar fire. Although painfully wounded himself, he calmly remained in his exposed position under the intense barrage until friendly mortars had silenced the enemy’s fire and a safe withdrawal could be effected. By his daring initiative, extraordinary courage and grave concern for another at great risk to his own life, Corporal Soderquist undoubtedly saved the life of one who otherwise might have perished. His heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.