The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class William T. Akerley (ASN: RA-11087453), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Nan-myon, Korea, on 28 November 1950. Sergeant First Class Akerley’s company was fighting to hold defensive positions against an attack by approximately one battalion of enemy troops. The Company Command Post was overrun and an adjacent road bloc, manned by three tanks and a platoon of infantry from another unit, had received heavy casualties and withdrawn. Without orders, Sergeant First Class Akerley coolly organized the company headquarters personnel and withheld the enemy until all company vehicles were loaded with important and necessary equipment. He also directed the dispatch of all available ammunition to the platoons whose supply was running dangerously low. With this ammunition the platoons were able to hold their defensive positions until orders to withdraw were received from battalion headquarters. Before withdrawing he company headquarters vehicles, Sergeant First Class Akerley exposed himself to intense enemy small arms and grenade fire to retrieve five wounded men from the overrun roadblock position. His coolness under fire and ability to analyze the situation were inspirational to those about him and were greatly responsible for enemy dead. He was personally responsible for saving the lives of four wounded men and preventing enemy capture of fife vehicles and stores of sorely needed weapons, ammunition, and communication equipment. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant First Class Akerley, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.