The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Roy Eugene Hattan (ASN: 0-17563), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 63rd Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, in action on 19 July 1950, at Taejon, Korea. Having assumed command of the 63rd Field Artillery Battalion and equipment, Colonel Hattan, by exhibiting superior leadership reorganized the battalion for an effective perimeter defense of the Taejon Airstrip. Beginning at 0730 hours on 19 July 1950, the battalion and attached units were subjected to intense enemy mortar, artillery and tank fire, which lasted for a period of 10 hours. During that period Colonel Hattan personally controlled operations of the Battalion fire direction center, and despite inadequate communications and extreme adverse conditions, he continued to defend his position. After dark Colonel Hattan skillfully selected escape routes, and directed the withdrawal of all firing batteries into the town of Taejon and so placed them as to afford concealment from enemy observation. The withdrawal was accomplished without loss of men or equipment. Colonel Hattan was the last man to leave the air strip which was still under heavy enemy fire. This act of conspicuous gallantry on the part of Colonel Hattan reflects the highest possible credit on himself and the military service.