The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant [then Sergeant First Class] Clarence M. Harlin (ASN: RA-34706447), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On the night of 25 July 1952, Sergeant Harlin was assigned the mission of leading a patrol to ambush the enemy near a friendly outpost known as “Kelly”, in the vicinity of Koyang-dae, Korea. As the friendly elements approached the area from where they were to affect their ambush, they heard hostile soldiers nearing the outpost from their left. Before they could initiate their ambush, they encountered intense hostile mortar fire. Sergeant Harlin, ignoring the murderous enemy barrage, courageously led his men across the shell-torn area to safe positions. Upon seeing additional hostile troops advancing up a gulley, on their way to attack the outpost, he immediately ordered his men to fire upon them. He directed their fire so accurately that the enemy were forced to withdraw in confusion. He then led his men towards the friendly outpost and when he was informed that the position had been overrun by the enemy, he united his men with the friendly troops who were forced to withdraw from the positions and quickly made plans to recapture “Kelly”. After crawling up the hill in the midst of fierce enemy mortar fire to determine where the foe were maintaining defensive positions, he disregarded his personal safety and courageously led his men in an attack upon the foe. The well-entrenched foe repulsed three of the friendly assaults but Sergeant Harlin, employing grim determination and aggressive leadership, boldly led his men in a fourth attack and drove the enemy from their positions. Sergeant Harlin’s gallantry and outstanding courage enabled the friendly forces to recapture the outpost, inflicted numerous casualties among the enemy and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.