The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class [then Corporal] Dick Holland (ASN: US-53021289), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company F, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 15 September 1951 in the vicinity of Honjon-ni, Korea. On this date Company F was engaged in a fierce fight with an enemy force of overwhelming strength. Sergeant Holland, a machine gunner, though wounded during the encounter, refused to be evacuated. Instead he placed his machine gun in an advantageous position and employed effective fire upon the attacking hostile units, forcing them to withdraw. At times when friendly forces were running low on ammunition, Sergeant Holland held the enemy at a distance until the units were re-supplied. As a result of his courageous actions several hostile counterattacks were repulsed and because of the heavy casualties suffered during these encounters, enemy forces were unable to continue. The gallantry in action displayed by Sergeant Holland on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.