The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain William Franklin Simpson, Jr. (MCSN: 0-26126), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Pilot in Marine Fighter Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN (VMF-214), attached to the U.S.S. SICILY (CVE-118), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Inchon, Korea, on 16 September 1950. Participating in a four-plane flight to seek out and attack hostile tanks and troops which were threatening the advance of friendly landing teams at Inchon, Captain Simpson pressed home bold attacks against a column of six hostile armed vehicles and, directing accurate and damaging fire, assisted in bringing the enemy group to a standstill. Fighting his plane skillfully, he made repeated low-level runs on the hostile line and personally accounted for the destruction of a tank and several enemy troops. When his aircraft was severely damaged by intense accurate anti-aircraft fire, he crashed among a concentration of hostile troops. A skilled airman, Captain Simpson, by his fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty, contributed materially to the success of our troops in securing all of Inchon in one day, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.