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), [then Second Lieutenant] David R. Willcox (ASN: 0-1925861), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a member of Company A, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, near Sokkogae, Korea. During the period 6 July 1953 to 8 July 1953, First Lieutenant Willcox and his company were engaged in an intense firefight with the enemy forces. Having been notified that one of his machine gun positions had been damaged, Lieutenant Willcox left his position of comparative safety to personally reconnoiter the situation. While moving through the exposed terrain, Lieutenant Willcox and one of his men were assaulted by a large hostile force. In the ensuing firefight Lieutenant Willcox personally accounted for six enemy soldiers. While Lieutenant Willcox was attempting to reload his weapon, he was assaulted by one of the enemy. Not only did Lieutenant Willcox subdue the man with his knife and stand off the attack but on the return trip to the machine gun emplacement, he disposed of six more of the enemy. Disregarding his own personal safety Lieutenant Willcox continually exposed himself to devastating fire outside the bunker position and directed fire into enemy positions. Although Lieutenant Willcox was wounded he continually aided the friendly forces in any way possible. The small group continued to hold back the numerically superior enemy forces until Lieutenant Willcox gave the order to withdraw to a new position further down the trench where he remained with his men until evacuated. The gallantry displayed by Lieutenant Willcox reflects great credit on himself.