The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class William L. McCoig (ASN: RA-7083805), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 7 September 1950 in the vicinity of Yongsan, Korea. Company K had launched an attack to seize Hill 189. During the advance the platoon in which Sergeant McCoig was a squad leader was halted by heavy mortar and machine gun fire. In order to eliminate this threat to the success of the attack, Sergeant McCoig advanced to an exposed position from where he took hostile machine gun fire. With accurate rifle fire he killed two members of the enemy crew. Then, although he had been wounded he returned and resumed command of his squad, leading it in a daring charge which overran the enemy, routing the hostile troops from their positions with heavy losses. His undaunted leadership and utter disregard for his personal safety reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.