The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Gerald L. Pearson (ASN: RA-17272688), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery B, 37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 22 August 1950 in the vicinity of Taegu, Korea. On that date, Private Pearson’s battery was subjected to an intense enemy artillery and mortar barrage which prevented the artillerymen from servicing their howitzers and inflicted severe casualties upon them. Orders were received to vacate the position immediately, leaving the guns and equipment in the area. Later that day, volunteers were called for to reenter the vacated position in an attempt to secure a howitzer and take it to the new battery position. Private Pearson volunteered for this hazardous mission and, with two comrades, entered the area which still was under observation by the enemy and still under heavy concentrations of artillery and mortar fire. With complete disregard for personal safety and indifference to the hostile fire, he moved calmly through the area and, added by his comrades, succeeded in placing the piece in traveling position, hooked it to a truck and moved it to the new position. The timely arrival of this desperately needed howitzer allowed the battery to furnish support to the hard pressed infantry, and the fire delivered by the gun succeeded in breaking up an enemy attack. The gallantry and high devotion to duty displayed by Private Person on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.