The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) William H. Spradlin (ASN: 0-1327899), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Zigang Pass, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 3 February 1945. An infantry company was attacking heavily defended enemy positions in Zigang Pass, when the first platoon, commanded by First Lieutenant Spradlin, reached a grassy area devoid of both cover and concealment. First Lieutenant Spradlin and his scouts crossed the clearing without drawing fire, and the platoon followed. The first scout discovered a pillbox a few yards to the immediate front, but before he was able to warn the platoon he was wounded twice in the arm by enemy rifle fire. Just at that moment Japanese machine guns opened up on both flanks of the platoon and rifle fire was received from trenches and pillboxes 30 yards to the front. First Lieutenant Spradlin correctly estimated from the fire, movement, and shouting, that he was opposed by a company of the enemy. Observing a force of about 20 Japanese moving to his right flank to cut him off, he crawled to the lead squad, deployed the me in a skirmish line, and directed the fire against the enemy. Due to the fact that many of the men were in their first engagement with the enemy, they were somewhat confused. First Lieutenant Spradlin personally directed 20 of his men t. move to more advantageous positions and a the same time maintained control along the firing line. When he had redeployed all but four of his men, the enemy concentrated all their fire upon this collected group. Japanese soldiers were observed leaving their emplacements and crawling down the slope to assault the four men. Seeing one of his men was sounded, First Lieutenant Spradlin crawled 10 yards to his side, further exposing himself to the approaching enemy and their full fire. He then knelt beside the wounded man and dressed the wound in full view of the enemy. He had barely completed the first aid treatment when he himself was wounded severely in the leg and arm by machine gun fire. With complete disregard for his own painful wounds, he succeeded in helping the wounded man to cover, and weak from loss of blood, he rolled into a small draw. During the course of the action First Lieutenant Spradlin was hit five times in the arms, legs, and chest. Fighting unconsciousness, First Lieutenant Spradlin managed to report to his company commander who joined him in the draw. He appraised him of the enemy situation, and warned him of land mines which he had discovered while crawling across the field, before lapsing into unconsciousness. First Lieutenant Spradlin’s devotion to duty, his courageous self-sacrifice, and his magnificent leadership in the face of overwhelming odds, were responsible for saving the lives of many of his men, and the information he obtained and delivered to his commander proved of the utmost value in the subsequent and successful attack upon the enemy position. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Spradlin, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.