The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant William A. Craven (MCSN: 0-41500), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifle Platoon Leader of Company C, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 4 December 1950. Assigned the mission of rescuing a platoon of Marine engineers who were surrounded and cut off by the enemy in Su-dong, Korea, First Lieutenant Craven deployed his platoon and personally led an assault on a commanding hill infested with more than 40 entrenched hostile soldiers. With at least six of the enemy killed and the remainder routed in disorder during the course of the ensuing action, he was able to bring more effective fire to bear on the enemy entrenched on adjacent hills. While the engineers were clearing the area, he skillfully deployed his platoon and succeeded in repelling a hostile counterattack. By his outstanding courage, determination and gallant devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Craven was greatly instrumental in permitting the isolated engineer platoon to move to safety with a minimum of casualties, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.