The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Hayes E. Lawwill (ASN: RA-15223387), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 70th Tank Battalion (Heavy), 1st Cavalry Division, in action against the enemy on 2 November 1950 at Unsan, Korea. Corporal Lawwhill’s unit, moving to cover the withdrawal of an infantry battalion in danger of encirclement by the enemy, was confronted by an enemy road block which was strongly defended, causing the tank column to halt along the road. Simultaneously, with the halt, the column began to receive heavy enemy fire from both sides of the road. Without heed for his own safety, Corporal Lawwill voluntarily made himself a messenger between the commanding Officer’s lead vehicle and the remainder of the column. Moving back and forth in the face of the vicious enemy fire, he was wounded by an enemy shell fragment. When the order to destroy equipment and retire to the rear was finally given, Corporal Lawwill, although wounded, volunteered to lead a group of men to safety through the enemy infested hills. Pursued by the enemy and continually in danger of ambush, he skillfully and successfully led the group to safety without a casualty. His initiative and fearless courage were directly responsible for the return of safety of thirty men who might otherwise have become casualties. Corporal Lawwill’s gallantry reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.