The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant [then Sergeant First Class] Thomas L. Williams (ASN: RA-18337370), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company F, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against the enemy on 25 January 1951, near Yangji, Korea. When a numerically superior enemy force launched a strong attack against the company defensive positions, a machine gun was abandoned by friendly troops, forcing defending elements to withdraw. Realizing the seriousness of losing the valuable weapon, Sergeant Williams, with three comrades, volunteered to attempt to regain the machine gun position. Advancing through heavy fire, Sergeant Williams leaped forward and engaged the hostile soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. During this encounter, six of the enemy were killed and the remainder forced to withdraw. Due to Sergeant Williams’ courageous and aggressive act, the machine gun position was regained and a serious threat to his company’s defense was removed. Sergeant Williams’ gallantry reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.