The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Walter Hardin, Jr. (ASN: RA-15420394), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 17 – 18 May 1951, in the vicinity of Pungchon-ni, Korea. When his company was attacked at 2000 hours on 17 May 1951, Corporal Hardin, with complete disregard for his own safety, refused to take cover, remaining in the open to move along the face of the ridge and point out targets for his comrades to fire on from their bunkers. In the course of the night he thus accounted for the destruction of two enemy mortars, three enemy machine guns, and several automatic weapons. So effective was his determination that the enemy at no time succeeded in penetrating the company lines, even though there was a large gap to the left of Corporal Hardin’s squad. Fearlessly ignoring the intense enemy fire sweeping the area, he remained in the open directing the defense so effectively that his squad, armed with their individual weapons, was able to turn back numerically superior enemy forces and prevent a penetration of the company defensive position. The gallantry in the face of the enemy displayed by Corporal Hardin reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.