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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class [then Sergeant] Edward D. Williams (ASN: RA-13297914), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving Company G, 2d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, near Pyong-Sen-ni, Korea, on 15 October 1951. Sergeant First Class Williams’ company had the mission of attacking and securing a ridgeline leading to a major objective. His Assistant Platoon Sergeant volunteered to lead the assault squad. The only avenue of approach was cross an open field that was completely exposed to enemy mortar and artillery fire. Sergeant Williams skillfully maneuvered his squad through this fire, although he himself was hit by shell fragments, to the base of the objective. Disregarding the pain of his wounds, he continued to lead his men as they ascended the hill. They had easily advanced three-quarters of the way up the objective, when the enemy, in a pair of bunkers to the squad’s right, placed them under rifle fire and a barrage of hand grenades. Sergeant Williams, realizing that these positions must be eliminated before the squad could advance further, crawled several yards to the front of his squad. Completely disregarding his own safety as he exposed himself to the enemy fire, he hurled a grenade into the opening of the first bunker. He then leaped to his feet and charged inside the bunker, spraying the four occupants with a lethal burst from his automatic carbine. Motioning for his men to follow, he again exposed himself to enemy fire, and advanced on the next bunker, killing one occupant and capturing two others. His fearless action resulted in five enemy killed and two captured and allowed his squad to continue its assault. Only when his platoon’s portion of the mission was completed did he consent to medical aid. Sergeant First Class Williams’ courageous action, aggressive initiative and selfless devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    19th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 16, 1951
    Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 68 (February 1, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Edward D. Williams (ASN: RA-13297914), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 2d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, near Chipsil-Li, Korea, on 16 October 1951. His platoon had the mission of securing an enemy-held objective. Sergeant Williams had just returned from the hospital and was advised not to join in any attack, but as he saw his comrades heading for the heavily defended enemy hill, he picked up his rifle and raced after them. Upon joining them, he led the assault as point man. The friendly riflemen nearly exhausted their ammunition in driving the hostile troops from their well prepared positions on the hill’s forward slope. Therefore the situation became perilous when the numerically superior enemy counterattacked, throwing many hand grenades and swarming over the top of the hill. The men were ordered to withdraw to more tenable positions as they could not be re-supplied with ammunition in time to hold. Sergeant Williams realized the platoon would be overrun unless someone delayed the enemy charge. He had his comrades leave their ammunition and an automatic rifle as they withdrew. Then, with complete disregard for his own safety, he established himself in a strategic but exposed position and swept the enemy hordes with devastatingly accurate bursts of fire, killing two, wounding many others and halting the attack, thus enabling his comrades to withdraw safely. Sergeant Williams’ courageous action, tenacious determination and selfless devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.