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 Sergeant William Paternoster (ASN: US-52069131), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 1 September 1951 in the vicinity of Taeusan, Korea. On this date, Company C was attacking a key terrain feature well-fortified by a determined and heavily armed enemy. In the initial phase of the assault a platoon of the company was halted by a withering hail of continuous fire from enemy automatic weapons. Sergeant Paternoster, voluntarily and with complete disregard for his own safety, moved his machine gun to a ridge directly in the enemy’s line of fire. He commenced firing on the hostile forces inflicting numerous casualties upon them. By doing so he directed their attention to himself and thereby, enabled his comrades to advance with a minimum of casualties. It was during this courageous action that Sergeant Paternoster was fatally wounded. His bravery and self-sacrificing devotion to duty were directly responsible for the success of his unit’s mission. The gallantry in action displayed by Sergeant Paternoster on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.