The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major General William Hanson Gill (ASN: 0-3287), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding General of the 32d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Luzon, Philippine Islands, from 16 April 1945 to 15 May 1945. General Gill commanded his Infantry Division which was engaged in heavy fighting against strong enemy forces firmly entrenched in a series of strongly fortified positions in the Torricelli Mountains. Realizing the need for aggressive action and continuous pressure against the enemy, he frequently visited front line units where he directed the operations against important objectives. On 3 May he went to an infantry observation post to direct an attack against a stubbornly defended hill and took a position two hundred yards from the area of heaviest fighting. Although fully exposed to enemy observation and subjected to heavy machine gun and sniper fire, he remained at his position and directed the action so that the enemy defenses were penetrated and destroyed and the battalion’s objective obtained. The courageous leadership displayed by General Gill and his calm determination while directing operations under enemy fire, contributed markedly to the success of his Division in the Luzon campaign. Major General Gill’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.