Vernon Arnold Haugland was an American reporter and writer for the Associated Press. As a war correspondent, he experienced and documented World War II events in person. During an assignment to New Guinea, he was a passenger in a bomber that ran out of fuel. He had to parachute out at 13,000 feet. Landing safely, he then spent 43 days in the jungle living off the land. He nearly starved to death, but for his heroism, General Douglas MacArthur awarded him the Silver Star medal. He was the first civilian to receive the medal – awarded at the time exclusively to members of the United States Armed Forces.

The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.