Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    27th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 16, 1950

    Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 326 (November 12, 1950)

    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 E. Wiggan (ASN: RA-12270005), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 16 September 1950, when the platoon encountered resistance from numerically superior hostile forces in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea, Sergeant Wiggan’s squad was subjected to intense enemy machine gun fir which caused numerous casualties. Heedless of the painful wound he had obtained, Sergeant Wiggan manned a recoilless rifle to silence an enemy machine gun with one round. When ordered to withdraw, despite having suffered another serious wound, he assisted in the evacuation of his wounded comrades before seeking medical attention for himself. The exemplary military skill, selfless devotion to duty and to his comrades displayed by Sergeant Wiggan reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the United States Army.