The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class William Wiley Coffee (ASN: RA-13349600), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company F, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 13 February 1951, near Sansong-ni, Korea, Private Coffee was a squad leader in an attacking platoon pinned down by enemy automatic and small arms fire. Disregarding his own safety, he exposed himself to the enemy fire to maneuver his way up the hill toward an enemy machine gun which commanded the terrain over which he was advancing. Getting within throwing range of the machine gun position he lobbed a hand grenade into the position, killing the enemy therein. His action permitted Company F to continue up the hill and secure its objective. The gallantry of Private Coffee is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.