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 William Pistulka (ASN: RA-16302053), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company H, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy from 31 August 1950 to 4 September 1950 in the vicinity of Yongsan, Korea. On the night of 31 August 1950 the enemy, attacking in overwhelming numbers, had penetrated our lines and were attempting to make a complete breakthrough in that area. Sergeant Pistulka was a member of a group of men from several companies who were cut off and surrounded by the enemy. He helped organize a perimeter defense on a hill, and for the next four days was active in the defense of that area. Time and again, almost single-handedly, he repulsed determined enemy attacks on his sector, alternately manning a machine gun, hurling hand grenades into the very face of charging enemy troops and using his bayonet and rifle as a club, in hand-to-hand combat. Early on the third day the water supply of the valiant group gave out and ammunition became very scarce. An air drop was called for, with a resulting partial replenishment of ammunition, but the dropped water fell two hundred yards outside the perimeter. Sergeant Pistulka immediately volunteered to attempt to recover a can of water for the desperately thirsty group. Through intense hostile fire he moved to the water can, retrieved it and made his way back to the perimeter. His brave and unselfish act was witnessed by the entire group of defenders who were cheered by his return. This act did much to revive the spirits of his comrades and undoubtedly was instrumental in the continued successful defense of the perimeter. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Pistulka reflects the highest credit upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.