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 (Corps of Engineers) William H. Champion (ASN: 0-1119964), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 7 January 1951 at Wonju, Korea. On that date, our forces were preparing to evacuate the town of Wonju. Lieutenant Champion, with a four man detail, was directed to effect the demolition of two vital bridges and thirty widely dispersed railway cars loaded with high explosives and ammunition. Moving through the town under close-range enemy mortar and small arms fire, Lieutenant Champion calmly set his demolition charges to the two bridges. At the first bridge, he and his detail were attacked by approximately ten enemy soldiers. Courageously accepting this assault, Lieutenant Champion and his men killed nine of the enemy and captured an enemy officer who had in his possession tactical maps containing valuable information as to the hostile disposition and plans. At the next bridge, they were again attacked, this time by one enemy soldier whom they put to flight. Upon completion of his dangerous task of preparing the two bridges for later destruction, he proceeded to the railway yards in town where he set demolition charges to the railway cards. This mission he completed by 1400 hours, whereupon he returned to inspect the bridges and once more clashed with three of the enemy, killing one and capturing the other two. By nightfall, and after the last friendly elements were reported to have withdrawn from the area with the enemy following close behind, he daringly re-entered the area which by that time was in the hands of the enemy and set off the fuses of all demolition charges, except one at a bridge whose fuse lighter the enemy had seized. Undaunted and determined to destroy the bridge nevertheless, Lieutenant Champion advanced to the bridge, threw gasoline, which he had stored there in advance, on the supporting timbers and set the bridge on fire. In addition to setting off his own demolition charges he set off two prepared by other details which led to the demolition of a building where ammunition was stored and two more which caused the destruction of the evacuated command post. In carrying out these various and most dangerous assignments under enemy fire, Lieutenant Champion demonstrated a truly inspiring coolness and efficiency. Even though the enemy had infiltrated the entire area, he himself did not leave the danger zone until one-half hour after the last friendly elements had withdrawn and were clear. The destruction wrought by his efficient and courageous execution of his hazardous demolition tasks materially contributed to delaying the advance of the numerically superior enemy as well as preventing him from seizing large stores of explosives and ammunition and gaining a firm hold on his objective. Further, it served to permit our forces to make a rapid, orderly and limited withdrawal with a minimum of losses. The gallantry displayed on this occasion by Lieutenant Champion reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.