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 to Master Sergeant William Edward Jackson (ASN: RA-35708200), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Poncho, Korea, on 8 September 1950. On this date he was in charge of his platoon in a defensive position on a ridge to the front of the company’s main line of defense. At about 0400 hours, his position was attacked from two sides by an enemy force estimated to be a company, and suffered heavy casualties. During this short engagement, the automatic weapons of Sergeant Jackson’s platoon were destroyed by enemy fire, and his few remaining men were forced to use hand grenades and bayonets in holding their position. Even though his position appeared apparently hopeless, he ordered the men to hold, and moved up and down the line encouraging them, directing the evacuation of his positions. With his ammunition almost consumed, and his men all but exhausted, he ordered them to withdraw. During the withdrawal he ran from side to side of the ridge, holding off the enemy with rifle and grenade fire, until his platoon had completed its withdrawal into Company G’s lines. After the withdrawal was completed, he was reorganizing his platoon when the enemy made a frontal assault upon the company’s positions, wounding him almost immediately. In spite of his wounds, he continued to direct the fire and movement of the men in his platoon, refusing to be evacuated for medical treatment until the enemy attack was repelled and the company positions secured. The conspicuous gallantry of Sergeant Jackson was largely responsible for the success of Company G in holding off an enemy force of overwhelming numbers. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.