Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Sergeant]

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    163d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    41st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 7, 1943

    Headquarters, 41st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 4 (February 5, 1943)

    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), [then Sergeant] William C. Tullis (ASN: 36127380), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 163d Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Killerton Track, New Guinea, on 7 January 1943. When an American attempt to clean out the Japanese from the Killerton Track, and make way for the Australians to come through, failed, Lieutenant Tullis and a fellow soldier heard groans and crept out to rescue a comrade whom they believed was wounded; but when they reached him they found that the American soldier was already dead and that it was a trap, the groans coming from Japanese hidden in trees, who immediately started firing upon them. They managed to escape and, crawling over a few yards, they found a sergeant, holding his squad and refusing to surrender. Unable to bear the groans and pleas of wounded comrades, Lieutenant Tullis and two other soldiers volunteered to try and reach them. When they got there they found a man who had been shot in both legs and arm. With enemy bullets striking all around them, they could not move the man to safety but promised to return that night. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.