The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Corporal Charles Leon Gilliland (ASN: 18350728), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Tongmang-ni, Korea, on 25 April 1951. A numerically superior hostile force launched a coordinated assault against Corporal Gilliland’s company perimeter, the brunt of which was directed up a defile covered by his automatic rifle. His assistant was killed by enemy fire but Corporal Gilliland, facing the full force of the assault, poured a steady fire into the foe which stemmed the onslaught. When two enemy soldiers escaped his raking fire and infiltrated the sector, he leaped from his foxhole, overtook and killed them both with his pistol. Sustaining a serious head wound in this daring exploit, he refused medical attention and returned to his emplacement to continue his defense of the vital defile. His unit was ordered back to new defensive positions but Corporal Gilliland volunteered to remain to cover the withdrawal and hold the enemy at bay. His heroic actions and indomitable devotion to duty prevented the enemy from completely overrunning his company positions. Corporal Gilliland’s incredible valor and supreme sacrifice reflect lasting glory upon himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service.