The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William E. Malarkey (ASN: ER-13311652), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 23 June 1951, Company B was attacking the enemy-held Hill 717, near Sobangsan, Korea. In the advance, Private Malarkey noticed a soldier from his squad fall wounded and braving the hail of enemy fire ran to the stricken man’s aid. As he was carrying him to a place of safety, Private Malarkey was also wounded but he evacuated his comrade and then rejoined his unit. Leading it through the embattled terrain, Private Malarkey succeeded in directing the unit to outflank the enemy positions. Fearlessly crawling within range of a hostile machine gun emplacement, he threw a hand grenade destroying the emplacement and killing the gun crew. Continuing to move forward, Private Malarkey spotted two enemy mortars and again deploying his squad effectively he directed accurate small arms fire on the hostile weapons, killing 4 members of the mortar sections and causing the rest to flee in wild disorder. Private Malarkey’s gallantry, relentless determination, and exceptional leadership reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.