Harold W. Rowland

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Harold W. Rowland (617245), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Korea, on 21 September 1950. During the advance of his company, the platoon in which Sergeant Rowland was serving as a Squad Leader, was pinned down by intense enemy small arms and machine gun fire. Without regard for his own personal safety, he fearlessly jumped up and assaulted an enemy machine gun nest with hand grenades and fire from his carbine, and succeeded in destroying the machine gun and killing the crew. He then began dressing the wounds suffered by five members of his squad. His courageous actions and display of initiative were an inspiration to all members of his company and materially aided in the successful continuation of the advance. Sergeant Rowland’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.