The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Harold Powell Williamson (MCSN: 0-15658), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company H, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 1 to 4 December 1950. Assigned the mission of attacking along the right side of the main supply route leading from Yudam-ni to Hagaru-ri, and of reducing and eliminating successive enemy objectives until a juncture could be made with friendly forces to secure the route for use by other advancing units, Captain Williamson courageously led his company in a three day attack against a strong and determined enemy. Repeatedly braving intense and accurate hostile automatic weapons, small arms and hand grenade fire, he inspired his unit in aggressively sweeping the enemy from the zone of advance and in reducing several hostile strongpoints on commanding ground overlooking the main supply route. Moving constantly with the assaulting elements, he quickly and skillfully reorganized his company after the seizure of each intermediate objective, carrying the attack forward day and night until a successful connection was subsequently made with friendly forces. By his personal courage, skillful leadership and indomitable devotion to duty, Captain Williamson, although suffering from fatigue and severe frostbite in bitter, sub-zero temperatures throughout this period, was responsible for the successful completion of the assigned mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.