The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William Hurt Thornton (ASN: RA-14275100), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations in the Republic of Korea while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Corporal Thornton, on 19 October 1950 when the Regiment was moving up the main road in Korea in the attack, with 1st Battalion in front, B Company was lead company, they engaged with the enemy and was held up for several hours by two light machine guns and several riflemen were receiving mortar fire when Corporal Thornton crawled around in a ditch beyond hit with shrapnel using an automatic carbine knocked out one light machinegun and four riflemen from the flank, causing the enemy to withdraw. Then the Company continued on permission.