Harvey W. Nolan

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Harvey W. Nolan (0-50159), Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Leader in Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 23 April 1951. When numerically superior hostile forces penetrated an adjacent unit and threatened the security of the Battalion, Second Lieutenant Nolan boldly led his platoon up a steep slope during the hours of darkness in an attempt to dislodge the enemy from their well-entrenched hill positions dominating the city of Hwach’on. Although painfully wounded when the unit was subjected to a sudden hail of hostile automatic weapons and grenade fire near the summit of the slope, he bravely refused to be evacuated, seized an automatic rifle from one of the casualties, put it into action and, at the same time, directed his leading elements in delivering effective fire on the enemy, thereby gaining the initiative. After successfully evacuating the dead and wounded, he skillfully reorganized the remainder of his unit and led a vigorous fixed-bayonet assault on the objective in the face of intense hostile fire. Unable to dislodge the enemy, he led his platoon to an adjacent hill and, throughout the night, moved among his unit, encouraging his men and directing heavy automatic weapons and mortar fire on the hostile positions in an effort to deny the enemy the use of the vital ground. At dawn, he gallantly spearheaded the remaining fifteen men of his platoon in a second determined attack, completely routing the enemy and driving them from the hill. By his brilliant leadership and sound tactical ability, he served to inspire all who observed him and contributed materially to the security of friendly forces within the area. His outstanding courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Second Lieutenant Nolan and the United States Naval Service.