For this action on May 29, 1951, at Kwagch’i-Dong, PFC Moreland was posthumously awarded the United States' highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor.

In September 1948, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps for one year, serving in San Diego and Camp Pendleton, California.

PFC Moreland's decorations include: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an Intelligence Scout attached to Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on May 29, 1951.

Aware that the sputtering grenade would explode before he could regain his feet and dispose of it, he shouted a warning to his comrades, covered the missile with his body and absorbed the full blast of the explosion, but in saving his companions from possible injury or death, was mortally wounded.

His heroic initiative and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Moreland and the United States Naval Service.