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 [then Corporal] William F. Van Dyke (ASN: RA-42007745), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Pungsan, Korea, on 2 November 1950. On this date, the first platoon of Company B, 17th Infantry Regiment , was assigned the mission of moving up the road north of Pungsan, Korea, and setting up a road block. The remainder of Company B moved three miles up the road until darkness and set up all around defenses. The weather was so cold that it was necessary for the men to take off their shoes and rub their feet to keep them from freezing. The following morning after moving forward about 300 yards, Sergeant Frist Class Martin, Assistant Squad Leader of the second squad, noticed a North Korean rifle to the left of the road. When he stopped to investigate the enemy started firing “Burp” guns and throwing hand grenades on the platoon. The second squad was pinned down under the enemy fire. Sergeant First Class Van Dyke, who was squad leader of the first squad, was called upon to move his squad to the left flank of the enemy, which he unhesitatingly did. Although his squad was under heavy fire, Sergeant First Class Van Dyke repeatedly exposed himself while moving among his men directing their fire and in aiding the wounded of both his squad and the squad that was pinned down. He so effectively directed fire upon the enemy that the leading squad was able to withdraw. Upon the withdrawal, Sergeant First Class Van Dyke helped to carry one of the wounded men to the rear even though under constant machine gun fire. The cordage and great leadership displayed by Sergeant Van Dyke on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.