The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant William H. Draper (MCSN: 0-44299), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 24 April 1951. With his battalion fighting its way out of an area encircled by numerically superior hostile forces when movement was halted by devastating enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire from high ground paralleling the road, First Lieutenant Draper unhesitatingly ran through the hail of plunging fire to three supporting tanks in the center of the open area. Contacting one of the tank commanders by tank-infantry phone, he rapidly outlined the situation and gave him a fire mission. Although knocked down and dazed by the muzzle blast of the tank cannon’s first round, he regained his feet and, while remaining completely exposed to the heavy hostile fire, coolly adjusted the fire of all three tanks on the enemy-held ridge, inflicting numerous casualties and temporarily silencing the hostile fire. He then moved with a provisional reinforced platoon further along the road to a vantage point where he skillfully directed covering fire against the ridge, enabling the major elements of his battalion to complete a successful withdrawal into friendly lines. By his outstanding professional skill, courage and resolute determination, First Lieutenant Draper contributed materially to the success of his battalion’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.