The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Harold V. Maixner (ASN: 0-24439), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 29 November 1950 in the vicinity of Kaechon-ni, Korea. On that date two of our rifle battalions and a United Nations unit were subjected to an overwhelming attack and were forced to withdraw under heavy enemy pressure in order to avoid envelopment. The withdrawing elements were subjected to intense hostile automatic weapons and small arms fire and the numerically superior enemy attempted to turn the column’s flanks. Colonel Maixner, realizing that the allied units were in danger of annihilation, ordered a tank platoon forward to engage the enemy in an effort to cover the withdrawal. With complete disregard for his personal safety he mounted a tank and fires its .50 caliber machine gun with deadly accuracy against the onrushing enemy. In spite of the heavy volume of hostile fire he remained in his exposed position until the tank platoon had successfully halted the enemy’s flanking maneuver and our units had withdrawn to comparative safety on high ground. Only then did he order the tanks to return to the new defensive position. Later that date orders were received to effect a junction with other regimental units. The route of withdrawal was cut off by the enemy who had established a roadblock. Colonel Maixner personally led a covering force onto the high ground along the road. His fearlessness under enemy fire and superb leadership inspired his troops to greater efforts. When the main force had penetrated the blocked area he led his troops out of the enemy trap. His intrepidity and inspiring leadership were instrumental to the successful withdrawal of our forces without sustaining more severe casualties. The gallantry and aggressive leadership displayed by Colonel Maixner reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Infantry)Division:
25th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
June 1960 – August 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Harold V. Maixner (ASN: 0-24439), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from June 1960 to August 1968. During this period Colonel Maixner served consecutively as Battle Group Commander, as Deputy Brigade Commander, and then as Chief of Staff, 25th Infantry Division, United States Army Pacific (Hawaii); and as Chief, Internal Plans Branch, War Plans Division, Assistant Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, and later as Chief, Worldwide Management Group, Policy and Control Office, Deputy Assistant Director for Intelligence Production, Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, D. C. In each of these responsible positions, Colonel Maixner demonstrated decisive leadership, professional competence, and sound judgment. His extensive military experience and unique ability to plan, direct, and provide timely solutions to complex problems resulted in the smooth and orderly administration of all activities within his areas of responsibility, and contributed in great measure to the successful accomplishment of significant military objectives. With forceful command qualities and a unique ability to coordinate, correlate and develop the maximum effectiveness among staff personnel, he materially increased the morale, discipline and combat effectiveness of the 25th Infantry Division, and played a major role in assuring the successful continuity of Defense Intelligence operations during wartime, and the efficient world-wide management of Intelligence Production. By his significant accomplishments and devotion to duty he increased the prestige of the United States Army, and earned the high regard of all associated with him. Colonel Maixner’s distinguished performance of duty throughout this period represents outstanding achievement in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army and reflects the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Batallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
38th Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 18 – October 4, 1950
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 110 (1950)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Harold V. Maixner (ASN: 0-24439), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy from 18 September 1950 to 4 October 1950 during the offensive operations of his battalion from the east bank of the Naktong River at Saedong, west to Chonju and thence north to Nonsan, Korea. Throughout that period, while his battalion was driving the enemy first across the Naktong River and from there swept the invader from South Korea, Colonel Maixner was ever present with the most forward elements of his command, personally leading and directing assaults upon hostile strongpoint after strongpoint in the zone of advance. Repeatedly he rushed into the midst of attacks when hostile resistance was greatest and, fully exposing himself to enemy fire, rallied his troops for renewed assaults. Continually inspiring his men by his example of courage and determined leadership, Colonel Maixner was personally and directly responsible for the gallant achievements of his battalion in penetrating enemy defenses and completely eliminating all resistance in its zone of advance, killing many of the enemy, taking large numbers of prisoners and capturing vast quantities of hostile arms and materiel. The gallantry, tactical ability, and inspirational leadership displayed by Colonel Maixner reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest ideals of the military service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), [then Major]Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
302d Infantry RegimentDivision:
94th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
January 27 & February 25, 1945
Headquarters, 94th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 277 (1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), [then Major] Harold V. Maixner (ASN: 0-24439), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 2d Battalion, 302d Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Germany. On 27 January 1945, during an attack on Sinz, when his Battalion Commander was severely wounded, Major Maixner assumed command of the Battalion. Under intense enemy small arms and artillery fire, he personally reorganized and led his companies from an untenable position in the town, occupation of which would have caused great loss of life through encirclement by the enemy. On 25 February 1945, near Berrig, Germany, as he was coordinating the occupation and defense of a position just taken, an intense artillery concentration commenced falling on the position. Realizing that the fire was from American guns, Major Maixner, with utter disregard for his own safety, dashed through the rain of shrapnel, one hundred fifty yards to a radio whose operator had become a casualty. Lying in an exposed position he contacted artillery liaison personnel and caused the fire to be lifted, undoubtedly saving many lives. Soon after this heroic deed the enemy launched a fierce counterattack. Major Maixner ran forward, organized the disorganized companies, and personally led them in successfully repelling the enemy. His heroic leadership, gallantry under enemy fire, and supreme devotion to duty, exemplify the highest traditions of the United States Army.