Harold H. Gilliland

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Harold H. Gilliland (1117207), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Amphibian Tractor Battalion of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein), FMF, in Korea, on 24 December 1950. Serving as a crew chief of an amphibian tractor, Corporal Gilliland was assigned the mission of evacuating military personnel and material from Pink Beach at Hungnam, Korea. Upon the explosion of a nearby ammunition dump which severely wounded Corporal Gilliland, he courageously and with complete disregard for his own safety removed from several disabled tractors four wounded Marines. He then evacuated the wounded to the hospital ship refusing treatment for his own wounds until returning to his own organization. Corporal Gilliland’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.