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 (Infantry) William Corson (ASN: 0-306442), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 9 January 1945, near Hatten, France. When the right of his Company was overrun by superior enemy force and a strong counterattack failed to restore the line, Captain Corson commandeered a tank destroyer and directed it to the threatened point. Mounted on the destroyer and exposed to intense hostile fire, he directed its fire into one enemy-held building after another until the Germans were driven out and the line restored. Captain Corson then moved to the left of his Company, where a violent enemy attack had developed, and personally led his troops in fighting off this new threat until he was severely wounded and captured. His outstanding courage and leadership resulted in delaying the enemy until reinforcements arrived.