The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Field Artillery) William Henry Crosson, Jr. (ASN: 0-24880), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Battery C, 863d Field Artillery Battalion, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 15 March 1945, in the vicinity of Bliesranbach, Germany. Captain Crosson, while on reconnaissance for a battery position, came under small arms and machine gun fire from an enemy defensive area. He immediately deployed his party and attacked a superior enemy force. During the ensuing action, Captain Crosson killed two of the enemy, wounded a third, and through superior tactical maneuvering, he and his party captured twelve enemy and cleared the area of others, making it safe for his battery to go into position. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Crosson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.