The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) William Jordan Verbeck (ASN: 0-16852), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Pinamopoan, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 11 November 1944. The regiment of infantry which Colonel Verbeck was commanding had been held up for five days by a determined Japanese force of infantry and artillery. The enemy was strongly entrenched in the gulches and on the reverse slopes of a commanding ridge about two thousand yards southwest of Pinamopoan. They were fresh first-line troops, equipped with a high percentage of automatic weapons. At this critical time Colonel Verbeck organized a striking force consisting of one platoon of medium tanks protected by the regimental intelligence and reconnaissance platoon and one engineer mine detector squad, and personally led it on foot to the crest of the ridge, from which point the infantry and tanks were, for the first time, able to advance and hold ground. The turning point had been reached. From then on our troops were able to move steadily forward. Colonel Verbeck’s example of bravery and energy had inspired his troops with the drive needed to overcome an aggressive well-trained enemy force and is in keeping with the highest military traditions.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) William Jordan Verbeck (ASN: 0-16852), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Gusay, Mindoro, Philippine Islands, on 20 January 1945. Colonel Verbeck advancing at the head of his regiment which was moving toward the enemy defended strong point on Gusay led a patrol of eight men in order to ascertain the exact location of the enemy. Without realizing the proximity of the enemy his patrol suddenly came upon a large force of enemy infantry which was forming up to move to intercept the advance of the 21st Infantry. Although only twenty-five yards from the enemy force, Colonel Verbeck so disposed his men as to be unobserved by the enemy. Falling back stealthily toward his most advanced forces, Colonel Verbeck with about twenty men laid an ambush for the enemy force. He caused the remainder of the Regiment to halt in position so as not to be detected by the advancing enemy force. Colonel Verbeck and his small force ambushed the enemy force with heavy surprise fire and then charged the confused enemy force. During the hand-to-hand combat that followed Colonel Verbeck personally killed three enemy soldiers and one officer. The confused and demoralized enemy dispersed and fled leaving a large proportion dead. Colonel Verbeck then summoned forward heavy mortars and fired upon the enemy Gusay force with such effect that heavy casualties were caused. The surprise and fire forced the enemy force of over 400 men to hastily evacuate Gusay which was occupied without loss to our forces. So swift and direct had been the whole action that the 21st Infantry sustained not a single casualty. Colonel Verbeck’s action this day is outstanding as a headlong military action and reflects credit upon himself and the military service.