The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Major Webb Duane Sawyer (MCSN: 0-7847), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in Korea, from 2 to 8 November 1950. On 2 November 1950, the enemy conducted a fierce night attack against the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines. Major Sawyer moved along the line, constantly closing gaps caused by the enemy action, reforming the defense to meet the changing situation and continually exposing himself to heavy enemy fire without regard for his own personal safety. Major Sawyer’s display of courage, leadership and initiative, coupled with his ability to coordinate the actions of his battalion, contributed in a high degree to the successful repulsion of the enemy.

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 (Army Award) to Major Webb Duane Sawyer (MCSN: 0-7847), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while Commanding the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in Korea, on 8 December 1950. His battalion had been assigned as the advance guard of an infantry Regiment and was ordered to attack, seize and occupy the vital key terrain feature, Hill 1304, which was being strongly defended by the enemy. This hill controlled the critical passage through which the entrapped FIRST Marine Division had to move from Koto-ri to Chinhung-ni. In addition, his Battalion was to afford flank protection to the advance elements of the Regimental and Division vehicle train. The morning dawned in a driving snowstorm which limited visibility and ceiling to only a few feet throughout the entire day, and was punctuated by sub-zero temperature ranging to 22 degrees below zero. His battalion had become severely depleted from casualties and was virtually exhausted after more than eleven days of bitter fighting. During the attack of Hill 1304, which was being defended by a tenacious enemy from deeply entrenched and well camouflaged positions, seeing that one of his rifle companies was being outflanked by a numerically superior enemy, Major Sawyer, in spite of a painful foot wound received the previous day, traversed the tortuous terrain, to reach the dangerous flank. Constantly exposing himself to heavy enemy small arms, automatic weapons and sniper fire, he personally directed and led the attack of his depleted Battalion with such calculated precision and aggressiveness as to completely outmaneuver the enemy and in so doing, routed him from his defensive positions, inflicted innumerable casualties upon his foe and captured the vital objective. He then led elements of his battalion down a steep mountain pass for four miles to join friendly forces and open the road for the entrapped FIRST Marine Division. Major Sawyer’s devotion to duty, his aggressiveness, skill and heroic action served as a constant inspiration and example to all his officers and men.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in addition to a previously awarded Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major Webb Duane Sawyer (MCSN: 0-7847), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Executive Officer of Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, on 6 December 1950. When his battalion encountered fierce enemy resistance from strong hostile positions which dominated and blocked the road from Hagaru-ri to Koto-ri, Major Sawyer skillfully led elements of his group in an enveloping movement around the enemy’s left flank and, with brilliant leadership, successfully aided in countering and repelling the hostile attack. For twenty-two hours he voluntarily and continually remained exposed to a vicious hail of hostile fire and, though painfully wounded by mortar fire, steadfastly refused evacuation in order that he might assist in the direction and control of the fighting. By his valiant courage, daring initiative and staunch devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds, Major Sawyer contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of the battalion objective, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.