The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Master Sergeant William J. McClung, III (MCSN: 245685), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Advanced Elements of Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), during action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 7 December 1950. When his unit was attacked by a numerically superior and well-entrenched enemy force employing automatic weapons, machine guns, mortars and rocket launchers, Master Sergeant McClung repeatedly exposed himself to short-range enemy fire in order to deploy and direct the fire of his party to better advantage. Although the lead truck of his convoy was afire, which made him easily visible to the enemy, he moved from man to man over a period of three hours, lending words of encouragement and controlling their fire. When two burning vehicles brightly illuminated the defensive area, making his unit’s position untenable, he calmly directed his men to new positions in an area offering better concealment and improved firing conditions. Returning to the illuminated area, he was mortally wounded while removing wounded Marines to concealed positions in the face of enemy fire. By his outstanding leadership, cool courage and selfless devotion to duty throughout, Master Sergeant McClung served to inspire others of his group toward the successful repulse of the enemy attack, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.