The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospitalman First Class William L. Gadke, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Medical Corpsman attached to a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Korea, during the period 25 to 26 September 1950. Hospitalman First Class Gadke was serving as a corpsman when his battalion was attacking through the streets of Seoul, Korea, against a well-entrenched and concealed enemy force who were firing intense small arms and machine gun fire into the battalion zone of action. He repeatedly exposed himself to this fire, without regard for his own personal safety, as he courageously volunteered to evacuate wounded Marines wherever they were and administer to them vitally needed aid. When the enemy infantry commenced a determined counterattack in force that night supported by tanks and artillery, Hospitalman First Class Gadke continued with courageous disregard for his own personal safety by voluntarily forming a detail to carry much needed machine gun ammunition to a forward gun. He displayed a high degree of initiative and leadership as he adeptly and courageously led the detail through the heavy enemy fire. This action was above and beyond the call of duty as a Corpsman. Hospitalman First Class Gadke’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.