Navy Federal Credit Union

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Rayford H. Harper (ASN: RA-14316823), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division in Korea. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    3rd Battalion

    Regiment:

    19th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 4,1 951

    Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 337 (April 21, 1951)

    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 Rayford H. Harper (ASN: RA-14316823), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Tacsong-ni, Korea, on 4 February 1951. The Third Battalion had been nearly surrounded by numerically superior enemy forces in the early morning hours and received an order to withdraw. Corporal Harper, a 57-mm. recoilless rifleman, voluntarily and on his own initiative remained behind to cover. While exposed to intense enemy fire, he succeeded in placing such extremely accurate and devastating fire that he accounted for an estimated 18 casualties and was able to thus pin down the enemy and allow the battalion tow withdraw with minimum losses. After firing all his available ammunition, he destroyed the weapon to keep it from enemy hands. In attempting to withdraw himself he found that the enemy had completely surrounded him. While in search of a secure hiding place, he discovered a wounded comrade who had unintentionally been left behind. Any concern for his own well-being was instantly forgotten and he moved the wounded man to a place of relative safety and waited until the cover of darkness enabled him to carry the man across 2,500 yards of securely held enemy territory to the protection of his own battalion lines. Corporal Harper’s courageous action and devotion to a wounded comrade reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the United States Army Infantry.