The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) William E. Ross (ASN: 0-50151), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 72d Tank Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 18 May 1951, in the vicinity of Chuan-ni, Korea. The enemy was directing heavy assaults against the 3d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, to which he was attached, and had succeeded in cutting the road behind them. Although subjected to enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire he personally placed each tank in position to best support the Infantry. When the order was given to withdraw, he organized his tanks into a covering force for the unarmed vehicles. The enemy immediately opened fire on this force, knocking out two tanks and forcing the drivers to abandon their vehicles. Captain Ross immediately exposed himself from the turret of his tank to better direct the fire of the other tanks and fire a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on his tank, although enemy fire was ricocheting from the sides of his tank. By his accurate fire and skillful maneuvering he was able to delay the enemy advance, thus enabling two rifle battalions to withdraw from a precarious position and form a new defensive line. His calm leadership and devotion to duty were greatly instrumental to the success of this operation. The gallantry displayed by Captain Ross reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.