Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant [then Private]

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    15th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 24, 1951

    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 377 (December 26, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant [then Private] William H. Drummond (ASN: RA-36987101), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company F, 2d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. In the early morning hours of 24 November 1951, Sergeant Drummond voluntarily serving as point man, was with the forward platoon of Company F, as they proceeded on their mission of assaulting an enemy-occupied hill in the vicinity of Kowang-San, Korea. Suddenly they encountered fierce hostile small arms, grenade, and mortar fire, wounding several men, including the platoon leader and the platoon sergeant, leaving the leaderless platoon disorganized. Realizing that it was necessary to destroy the position from which the hostile forces were projecting their heaviest and most crucial fire upon the friendly unit, Sergeant Drummond, in a one man charge, battered the enemy position with grenade and rifle fire. As a result of his spectacular charge, he killed three of the foe and forced the remainder of the enemy to leave their ammunition behind as they fled from the bunker. After reorganizing the men and directing them into defensive positions, he returned through the hostile fire, secured ammunition from the friendly evacuated casualties, rejoined his unit and distributed the ammunition among the men. By repeating this dangerous feat several times, he kept the men well supplied, thereby enabling them to repulse ensuing enemy counter-attacks. Later, upon seeing three wounded friendly soldiers under enemy fire, oblivious to the hostile fire, he assisted an aid man in evacuating them to safety. Sergeant Drummond’s outstanding gallantry, selfless actions, and untiring devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.