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.

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.