(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Colonel (Infantry) Orin Doughty Haugen (ASN: 0-18254), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, in action against the enemy at Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 27 November 1944. Colonel Haugen was leading a patrol through the Leyte mountains to initiate a mopping-up action when heavy machine gun and sniper fire enfiladed the column as it was passing through a narrow gorge. The Japanese were strongly entrenched on the ridges above the American unit’s position and constituted a numerically superior force. Colonel Haugen directed a counterattack against the enemy emplacements. The steep slope in front of the machine gun nests had been cleared of cover and except for a few logs and stumps, the Japanese had a clear field of fire. A sniper hidden in a tree top was sending slugs near Colonel Haugen’s unprotected position behind a log, however, he disregarded it until another round nicked the log near his head. Searching the trees, he spotted the sniper and pointed him out to his men, who killed him. For 35 days Colonel Haugen led his regiment through the mountains on their first combat mission through the world’s worst terrain, to clean out the enemy who had been driven into the mountains by the American divisions on the coast, and to occupy the main supply trail cutting across the island. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Haugen, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.