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 Sergeant First Class Dewitt B. Strickland (ASN: 18019810), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company I, 3d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 5 September 1950, near Haman, Korea, Sergeant First Class Strickland’s platoon was immobilized by a heavy concentration of hostile fire. Quickly securing a light machine gun, he ran to a forward vantage point and directed a heavy volume of counterfire on the enemy emplacements. Although operating the weapon single-handedly, he forced the enemy to cover and maintained his deadly fire until the platoon advanced and set the foe to flight. Sergeant First Class Strickland’s initiative, courage and selfless devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.