The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Peter Woods Garland, Jr. (ASN: 0-202288), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Yang-pyung, Korea, from 7 to 9 March 1951. His regiment was engaging the enemy in Operation Ripper, designed at destroying the maximum number of enemy possible and scouring the high ground on the north bank of the Han River. On the morning that the attack commenced, when all communications with the battalions had been severed, Lieutenant Colonel Garland, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, exposed himself to a hail of enemy mortar and artillery fire to move to the forward Regimental Observation Post to direct the attack of his battalions. Despite the constant enemy fire falling all around him, he refused to leave his position, remaining throughout the day personally supervising the movement of his units. On the third day of the operation, when it became apparent that one of his battalions had been halted in its advance and was in danger of being outflanked by the enemy, he again, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, exposed himself to the heavy enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire to move by foot over a route not yet cleared of enemy snipers to visit the forward elements of the battalion. Upon reaching the Battalion Command Post her personally visited the front line assault troops where he gave instructions and words of encouragement to the men. The presence of the Regimental Commander in the front lines had such an effect on the men that their courage and confidence soared to a new height, causing them to resume the attack with renewed vigor and determination. By 1600 hours of 9 March all objectives had been taken and secured and a numerically superior, well dug-in and well armed enemy had been literally dug from his positions and put to disorderly flight leaving a great many of his dead in the hills. Lieutenant Colonel Garland’s courageous actions and inspiring leadership were greatly instrumental in the success of this vital operation and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Infantry.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Peter Woods Garland, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division in action against the enemy at Yangpyung, Korea, between 7 – 9 March 1951. Colonel Garland completely disregarded his own safety while under fire from enemy mortar and artillery fire, in order that he might direct the attack of his regiment against a numerically superior enemy. Front line troops received his encouragement just before the attack and it helped immeasurably to boost their confidence to see their regimental commander sharing their dangers. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Garland, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.