The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant William Scrapper, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action at Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 9 November 1944. On this day, an infantry battalion attacked and seized a hill. After the hill was seized the enemy counterattacked fiercely. During this enemy counterattack, Sergeant Scrapper was the platoon sergeant of a heavy weapons platoon. While inspecting his heavy machine gun positions, he discovered that the crew of one of his heavy guns had been put out of action by enemy fire. Sergeant Scrapper realizing that the fire of the machine gun was necessary in aiding to repulse the enemy counterattack, alone set up the machine gun again and made it ready for firing. He then took the position of gunner, and resumed fire upon the enemy. He performed all the functions of the members of the gun crew, and succeeded in maintaining fire upon the enemy until the counterattack was repulsed. The fire from Sergeant Scrapper’s machine gun contributed materially to repulsing the counterattack of a determined enemy. Sergeant Scrapper’s daring and fearless display of courage was a source of inspiration to all who witnessed his actions, and reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.