The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Harry O. Williams (ASN: 0-37184), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 11 December 1950, in the vicinity of Sudong, Korea, a column of friendly troops was pinned down by heavy fire from a strong enemy force. Captain Williams, with total disregard for his own personal safety, exposed himself to intense enemy fire in order more effectively to place accurate fire upon the enemy positions. He then reorganized the column and started it moving forward. The inspiring leadership, outstanding courage, and initiative of Captain Williams prevented the column from being encircled and from suffering heavy casualties. His actions reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
7th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
February 12, 1951
Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 396 (June 3, 1951)The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Harry Orvil Williams, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Captain Williams distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chom-Chon, Korea, on 12 February 1951. Captain Williams was leading a reinforced patrol toward the Han River when the unit encountered intense small-arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire from a numerically superior enemy well-entrenched on commanding terrain. Immediately deploying his men to meet the attack, he directed one squad to move to the left flank of the enemy and a second squad to move to the right flank in an effort to encircle the enemy positions. Shortly thereafter, he observed that the squad moving to the right had encountered intense enemy fire and was pinned down. Moving to the squad’s position, he found that the squad leader had advanced to a position approximately five yards from an enemy machine-gun and had been wounded and pinned down by machine-gun fire. Determined to rescue the wounded man, Captain Williams charged the machine-gun position with grenades and carbine and succeeded in destroying the weapon and killing the crew. Despite the continued hail of small-arms fire, he reached the wounded squad leader but found the man was unable to move. Picking the man up, Captain Williams moved with him across approximately fifty yards of open fire-swept terrain to the position of the patrol where, after administering first aid to the wounded man, he continued to direct the operations of the patrol until orders were received to withdraw. The courage, indomitable fortitude, and inspiring leadership displayed by Captain Williams reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
7th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
February 16, 1951
Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 97 (April 12, 1951), Amended by G.O. No. 105 (1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Harry O. Williams (ASN: 0-37184), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer, Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 16 February 1951, near Kamil-ni, Korea, during an attack, a company was pinned down by intense small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. Captain Williams voluntarily exposed himself to this intense fire as he walked up and down the line shouting words of encouragement and reassurance to his men while urging them to continue forward. Inspired by his courage the company renewed the assault but the enemy fire became heavier. Captain Williams, despite this fire and with complete disregard for his own life, charged the first enemy position killing four of the enemy with his pistol. Although wounded in this action, Captain Williams refused evacuation and continued to lead his company. After the objective was overrun, Company K was given the order to withdraw to more tenable positions. Although enemy mortar fire was falling in his locality, and heavy small arms fire was concentrated on him, he remained on the position personally covering the withdrawal of the company. The gallantry and fearlessness displayed by Captain Williams, and the inspiration he imparted to his men are in in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Infantry)Division:
66th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
January 27, 1945
Headquarters, 66th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 51 (1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Harry Orvil Williams (ASN: 0-37184), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Forward Observer for a Cannon Company of the 66th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 27 January 1945. Lieutenant Williams accompanied a patrol that was charged with capturing a small enemy force harassing front-line outposts. After he lost contact with the patrol when it withdrew to a better position, Lieutenant Williams crawled forward alone, straight into small arms fire. He killed the enemy commander with his M-1 rifle, then directed accurate cannon fire upon the remaining Germans, killing six and forcing the others to withdraw. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.