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 Laverne C. Mulder (ASN: RA-16331884), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company D, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, gallantry in action against the enemy on 7 October 1951 in the vicinity of Saegonbae, Korea. On this date, Corporal Mulder was on a mine clearing mission and was advancing through a narrow defile under direct enemy observation. The enemy suddenly directed a heavy concentration of mortar and artillery fire into the defile causing friendly troops to disperse and seek cover, including a litter team evacuating a seriously wounded man. Observing the wounded man abandoned, Corporal Mulder voluntarily and with complete disregard for his own safety, advanced through intense enemy fire and picked up the wounded soldier and carried him to the safety of an aid station. The gallantry in action and devotion to duty and comrades displayed by Corporal Mulder on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.