The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) William B. Aycock (ASN: 0-420869), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in in France. On 30 October 1944, at about 0600 hours, near Dambenoit, France, First Lieutenant Aycock ran fifty yards in a shower of shell fragments and bullets form the enemy seventy-five yards away to reach a knoll from which he could direct fire on hostile positions. Directing mortar fire from his exposed position for forty-five minutes, First Lieutenant Aycock destroyed an anti-tank gun, a munitions wagon, three mortars, a machine gun, and forced 145 German soldiers to surrender to our troops. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Aycock, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.