The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William B. Lay (ASN: RA-15270284), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. North of Ipsok, Korea, on 27 November 1950, Private First Class Lay’s battalion was divided by infiltrating hostile troops. Leaving his area shortly before dawn with an important message for the southernmost group of the battalion, he was subjected to heavy machine gun fire from an enemy roadblock which riddled his jeep and forced him to displace to a nearby tank. After vainly attempting to recover vital papers from his exposed vehicle, he waited until daybreak, directed the fire of the tank on the hostile emplacement and then secured the documents. His determined effort discouraged the enemy from further blocking attempts and thus permitted the restoration of normal communications. Private First Class Lay’s valorous actions are worthy of emulation and reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the United States Army.