The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William E. Callahan (MCSN: 1137934), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 17 September 1951. With his squad subjected to a sudden and devastating enemy mortar barrage which threatened to halt his unit from establishing a base of fire during an advance against strongly defended hill positions, Corporal Callahan bravely moved from one position to another along the fire swept area, issuing fire orders and directing his men to cover. Observing a seriously wounded comrade lying in an exposed area, he dashed through a hail of grazing machine-gun fire and personally carried the casualty to a safe position, immediately rushing back to his former position to continue leading his squad. By his aggressiveness, outstanding courage and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Callahan served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.