The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal [then Private First Class] William D. LaHanse (ASN: RA-28157939), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 16 February 1951, near Kamil-ni, Korea, during an attack, a platoon of Company K was pinned down by intense enemy small arms fire. Corporal LaHanse voluntarily exposed himself to this intense fire as he advanced on the enemy’s position armed only with his automatic pistol and hand grenades. By this action he drew the bulk of the enemy fire away from his platoon and onto himself. He assaulted the position and killed one enemy. As Corporal LaHanse searched for a better approach to the emplacement, he noticed four members of his squad entering the field of fire. Shouting a warning to them, he jumped to his feet, at the same time threw another grenade into the enemy dugout and rushed the position. As he reached the top of the bunker he was seriously wounded in the leg but continued his relentless assault into the position until all enemy had been killed. The gallantry, courage, and aggressiveness displayed by Corporal LaHanse reflect great credit upon himself and exemplify the highest traditions of the military service.