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 L. Peterson (ASN: RA-39714454), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 19 March 1951, in the vicinity of Tongsan, Korea. On that date, Sergeant Peterson was serving as platoon sergeant of the anti-tank and mine platoon. The platoon was participating in a tank-infantry attack against bitterly defended enemy strong points, when the lead tank of the column was halted by mines in the road. Sergeant Peterson and his men immediately moved forward to remove the mines when they came under heavy enemy machine gun, small arms and mortar fire and had to take cover. Realizing that the tanks could not move and the entire mission would fail unless the path was cleared of the mines, Sergeant Peterson, in utter defiance of the hostile fire, rushed out into the open and carefully proceeded to search for and remove mine after mine until finally he had opened the way for the tanks. His inspiring fearlessness and skillful accomplishment of a most hazardous task were directly responsible for enabling his unit to carry its offensive mission to a successful conclusion with heavy losses to the enemy. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Peterson reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.