The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant William H. Cowie, Jr. (MCSN: 0-57121), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as a Platoon Commander of Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 26 July 1953. Ordered to reinforce friendly elements on the main line of resistance, Second Lieutenant Cowie skillfully led his platoon forward to deploy it in the reinforcing position and, despite an intense hostile mortar and artillery barrage, fearlessly moved from one position to another to direct his men in expediting the occupation of the new sector. On three occasions, he gallantly led a squad into enemy-held trenches and cleared the hostile troops from the positions in order to evacuate wounded Marines, personally accounting for six enemy dead during the extremely close-in fighting. Although painfully wounded, he refused evacuation and, later in the night, skillfully called friendly mortar fire upon the enemy which resulted in many casualties among the hostile force. By his courageous leadership, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Cowie served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.