The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant William J. Masterpool (MCSN: 0-47041), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Machine Gun Platoon Commander of the First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 24 April 1951. With his battalion engaged in a difficult retrograde movement in the vicinity of Hwachon, and his platoon assigned the mission of acting as rear guard, Second Lieutenant Masterpool skillfully deployed his guns and directed a withering hail of fire against the rapidly advancing enemy. Although subjected to intense small arms and automatic weapons fire, he coolly moved from one position to another, encouraging his men and directing their fire at targets of opportunity. When all other elements of his battalion had successfully withdrawn and all wounded had been evacuated, he broke contact and effectively displaced his unit to the rear with a minimum of casualties, thwarting all enemy attempts to advance. By his outstanding leadership, inspiring courage and unswerving devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Masterpool contributed materially to the success of his battalion’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.