The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class William R. Kennedy (ASN: RA-6583080), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Heavy Tank Company, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 12 February 1951, near Suso-ri, Korea, the tank platoon in which Sergeant Kennedy was a tank commander, was given the mission of rescuing a surrounded infantry platoon. This platoon had been attacked and surrounded by an estimated enemy battalion and involved in an intense fire fight for a period of five hours. Upon arrival in the area, Sergeant Kennedy noticed many wounded personnel unable to make their way to safety. Immediately he dismounted from his tank, and with utter disregard for his personal safety, fearlessly exposed himself to incessant enemy small arms and mortar fire in order to lead some of them to his tank. Placing others aboard a jeep, he courageously drove this vehicle with the wounded aboard through heavy fire to a place of safety. As a result of his actions the lives of many wounded men were saved. The initiative and conspicuous gallantry of Sergeant Kennedy reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.