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 Harold E. Harris (ASN: ER-55006111), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 16 May 1951, in the vicinity of Umidong, Korea. During the night of that date, the platoon in which Corporal Harris was serving as a squad leader was defending its position on a high hill against furious enemy attacks. As the firepower of his squad failed to halt the hostile advance, some of the men became panicky. Seeing this, Corporal Harris calmly moved along the line of his squad, utterly heedless of the heavy fire, in order to instill in them needed encouragement. When his automatic rifleman was wounded, Corporal Harris rose in full view of the enemy and from a standing position fired the automatic rifle while the wounded man was evacuated to safety. Constantly in the most forward position, he inflicted heavy casualties upon the onrushing foe. When orders were given to withdraw to a predetermined area, Corporal Harris voluntarily covered the withdrawal of his men from his forward position, inflicting further casualties upon the infiltrating enemy. Throughout the action Corporal Harris was an outstanding example to his men and inspired them to greater courage in battle. The gallantry displayed by Corporal Harris reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.