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 Harry R. Iliff, United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 2d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 12 September 1950 in the vicinity of Yongsan, Korea. Early on that date, approximately 100 enemy launched a surprise attack on the battalion command post. Sergeant Iliff, sensing the seriousness of the situation, sprang to man a .50 caliber machine gun which was mounted on a truck parked between the command post and the enemy. In full view and under direct fire of the charging enemy, Sergeant Iliff, with cool courage and great skill, placed such a volume of devastating fire into the enemy that they were thrown into confusion and momentarily halted. His bold action diverted the hostile force long enough to allow the command post personnel to organize and to launch a counterattack which utterly routed the enemy with heavy losses. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Iliff reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.