The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Harold H. Gilliland (MCSN: 1117207), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Crew Chief of an Amphibian Tractor of Company A, First Amphibian Tractor Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 24 December 1950. Assigned the mission of evacuating military personnel and materiel from Pink Beach at Hungnam, Corporal Gilliland carried out his duties with skill and courage during the operation. Although severely wounded when an adjacent ammunition dump exploded, he removed four wounded Marines from several disabled tractors and evacuated them to a hospital ship, staunchly refusing treatment for his own wounds until he returned to his own organization. By his dauntless courage, heroic efforts and grave concern for others at great risk to his own life, Corporal Gilliland served as an inspiration to all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.