Sergeant William B. Shelton (ASN: RA-19293680), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War after he was captured on 27 November 1950 during the Korean War and was held until his death on or about 31 March 1951.
Sergeant William B. Shelton (ASN: RA-19293680), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War after he was captured on 27 November 1950 during the Korean War and was held until his death on or about 31 March 1951.
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The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal [then Private First Class] William Boyce Shelton (ASN: RA-19293680), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a platoon scout with Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Corporal Shelton distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Haman, Korea, on 19 August 1950. On that date, Company B launched an attack against the enemy who were entrenched on a ridge near Haman. Corporal Shelton was advancing toward the objective when he came upon an enemy soldier crouching behind a boulder. He kicked the weapon from the hands of the enemy, shot him, then shifted his fire and killed two more enemy who were only a few yards away. During this action the platoon machine-gunner and his assistant were killed while trying to put their gun into operation. Although partially blinded by blood which was flowing from a head wound he had received, Corporal Shelton ran to the machine-gun position, removed the bodies of his comrades, set up the gun, and delivered devastating fire on the enemy, which was instrumental in the success of the company’s attack. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Corporal Shelton on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.