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] Ernest C. Lawson, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 15 February 1951, near Chipyong-ni, Korea. On that date he was a member of an infantry company which was making a coordinated tank-infantry attack to restore positions lost the previous night. During this attack, the tanks were halted because of a mine field to their front, and, without the supporting fire of the tanks, the infantrymen could not advance. Sergeant Lawson immediately volunteered to go forward and remove the mines, disregarding completely his personal safety and the enemy fire falling around him. Tanks rendered supporting fire, but the enemy continued to increase his fire. Ln spite of this fire, he remained in an exposed position and removed the mines, thus clearing the way for the tanks to advance. Because of’ his courageous action, the tank-infantry unit was able to get into position and to force the enemy to abandon his position. The gallant conduct of Sergeant Lawson reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.