Rawleigh Garman, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Rawleigh Garman, Jr. (RA17315694), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On the night of 14 June 1953, Company E made an attack on Hill 412 in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. Private Garman, an automatic rifleman, was the lead man in the assault element of the force. As they departed from the friendly lines, the unit came under intense enemy mortar and artillery fire. As they approached the objective, raking enemy machine gun fire forced the unit to take cover. Realizing that the delay would endanger the entire company, Private Garman leaped up and assaulted the enemy alone until his comrades could leave their cover and follow him. In the initial burst of fire, he mortally wounded or rendered casualties six enemy soldiers as they attempted to lay a base of fire on the friendly unit. A short while later, an enemy mortar round struck in the immediate vicinity of Private Garman, seriously wounding him. Nevertheless, he continued his assault until his wounds rendered him unconscious. Private Garman’s outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.