The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal William Coy Easte (ASN: RA-44017353), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 17 May 1951, in the vicinity of Panmegi-ri, Korea. On that date, Company B was under attack by a numerically superior enemy force. As enemy fire increased and the unit began an orderly withdrawal to better positions, Corporal Easte voluntarily remained at his machine gun, inflicting numerous casualties upon the enemy. His covering fire enabled his entire squad to reach new positions safely. The heroism in action demonstrated by Corporal Easte reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.