The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Private First Class William W. Karp (ASN: US-54509640), United States Army, for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force. Private First Class Karp distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 January 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as platoon medic. On that date, his and another platoon were conducting a search and destroy mission in the Que Son Valley. As they were crossing an open rice paddy, they came under intense enemy automatic weapons and mortar fire, which immediately wounded several of the men. Private Karp, disregarding his own safety, moved from his position to render aid to the wounded. When they were given the order to withdraw to the wooded area behind them, Private Karp assisted in the reorganization of the men from his platoon. During the withdrawal, Private Karp along with several other men were separated from the rest of the element and on several occasions he exposed himself to hostile fire in order to guide the group back to safety. He killed one enemy soldier who had discovered their group and had started to fire on them. Upon returning to the friendly lines, he immediately resumed his duties of caring for the wounded. Private First Class Karp’s professional competence and concern for the lives of his fellow soldiers are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.