The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) (Posthumously) to Major Harry Cox Lang (MCSN: 0-4440), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while Commanding Company A, Fourth Marine Regiment, in action at Corregidor during the defense of the Philippine Islands, from April to May 1942. Despite daily artillery bombardments and frequent air attacks, Major Lang exposed himself courageously in the course of his daily visits to all positions, thus contributing materially to strengthening of morale and espirit among his men to meet the subsequent landings on 5 May 1942, when he met his death while directing the action. Major Lang’s conduct reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Marine Corps.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Harry Cox Lang (MCSN: 0-4440), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in the line of his profession under heavy enemy artillery and bombing attacks. From 29 December 1941 to 4 May 1942, Major Lang was in command of Company A, Fourth Marines, which was defending a subsector of the Corregidor north shore beach defenses facing Bataan Peninsula. The heavy daily hostile artillery bombardment and frequent air attacks from 243 April 1942 until 5 May 1942, were particularly severe in Major Lang’s subsector. The troops had no other cover than foxholes, could not return the hostile fire, and were suffering a considerable number of casualties. The situation threatened to undermine the morale of the men, many of whom were Filipino recruits. Major Lang, through his daily visits to all positions in his command and his indifference to the heavy fire to which he was many times exposed in the open, was an inspiration and example of heroism which encouraged his men to remain in their positions and valiantly oppose the landing attack which took place on the night of 5 May. His company took a heavy toll of the hostile forces and were still fighting when the order to surrender was issued. Major Lang was killed on 4 May 1942, by artillery fire while visiting one of his outlying positions. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.