The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Lawrence E. Dugan (ASN: RA-11201551), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 17 May 1951, in the vicinity of Pungchon-ni, Korea. During a counterattack to restore an outpost position that had been overrun by the enemy, Private Dugan, with complete indifference to the intense enemy fire directed at him, fearlessly charged into the hostile position, using grenades and marching fire in the assault. Fighting fiercely and valorously, he inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, and played a major part in the success of the counterattack. The gallantry displayed by Private Dugan reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.