The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Harry R. Connell (ASN: RA-34173010), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 1 March 1951, near Seoul, Korea, Company I was assigned the mission of gathering information on enemy strength and fortifications which were located on a small island in the Han River. Upon arriving at their destination, the leading elements of the reconnaissance group were suddenly subjected to small arms and mortar fire, resulting in numerous friendly casualties. Sergeant Connell, a squad leader in one of the supporting platoons, led his squad through the intense enemy fire, in an effort to furnish support for the group. Observing that an enemy machine gun had mortally wounded his automatic rifleman, Sergeant Connell, raced across the shell-torn terrain, directly toward the machine gun emplacement and destroyed it with a hand grenade. During this course of action Sergeant Connell was seriously wounded, but despite his intense pain, completed his mission. As a result of his outstanding courage the lives of several of his fellow soldiers were saved and enemy information obtained which played a large part in the successful crossing of the Han River. Sergeant Connell’s gallantry and inspirational leadership reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.