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 Private Harland F. Morrissey (MCSN: 483431/ASN: RA-17241078), United States Army, for gallantry and action against the enemy while serving with the 8th Ranger Company, in the vicinity of Unsan, Korea (as part of Task Force Dolvin with the 25th Infantry Division). On 25 and 26 November 1950, Private Morrissey was advancing with his company when it contacted a numerically superior hostile force. In the fierce battle which ensued, the friendly force launched an assault against the enemy-held Hill 205, and Private Morrissey was ordered to take charge of the first platoon. After leading his men across a wide expanse of terrain completely exposed to enemy fire, he moved forward to assault the enemy positions. Despite the heavy mortar and small arms fire pouring down from the hostile emplacements, the friendly troops were so inspired by Private Morrissey’s personal example of fearlessness (fixed bayonets) that they charged up the slope and drove the enemy from the objective. With the hill secure, Private MORRISEY Immediately deployed his men in defensive positions in anticipation of an enemy counterattack. The enemy threw themselves repeatedly at the friendly defenses, but each time, under the direction of private MORRISSEY, they were repulsed with heavy losses. Because of the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, however, it became necessary for the friendly troops to withdraw and, under the skillful direction of Private Morrissey they fell back to more tenable positions, carrying the wounded with them. The gallantry and steadfast devotion to duty displayed by Private Morrissey on this occasion reflect great credit on himself and the military service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Private First ClassBatallion:
1st Marine Parachute BattalionAction Date:
November 29, 1943
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Harland F. Morrissey (MCSN: 483431), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Marine Parachute Battalion in action against enemy Japanese forces near Koi-ari, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 29 November 1943. Although suffering acute pain from a wound he received in the right arm while his platoon was engaged in fierce combat with numerically superior enemy forces, Private First Class Morrissey, refusing to be evacuated, dressed his own injuries and remained in his position on the front line throughout approximately ten hours of incessant fighting, personally accounting for five Japanese dead during this action. His valiant conduct and unselfish devotion to duty under extremely hazardous conditions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.