The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant William L. Holemon (MCSN: 975880), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Sergeant of Company H, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 12 March 1951. When the unit was suddenly subjected to intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from well-concealed hostile positions on high ground while he was moving with the point to a contact patrol deep in enemy territory, Sergeant Holemon bravely exposed himself to the hostile fire to rally his men and led them forward in a daring attack. Skillfully maneuvering the assault squad into position, he directed his group in neutralizing five hostile bunkers and in killing fifteen or more of the enemy, personally destroying one of the emplacements and three of the enemy in attaining his objective. Undeterred by the constant hostile fire, he directed the patrol in successfully defending its position against a determined counterattack launched from the reverse slope of the hill. Subsequently ordered to break contact with the enemy, he remained in the rear guard position himself while deploying his men in pairs, and succeeded in moving the entire patrol sustaining only two minor casualties. By his inspiring leadership, marked courage and aggressive fighting spirit, Sergeant Holemon was greatly instrumental in the success achieved by his patrol and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.