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 Major (Infantry), [then Captain] William Doran Clark (ASN: 0-27448), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 23 May 1951 in the vicinity of Snagnyungal, Korea. On this date, while attacking heavily fortified enemy positions, Company G encountered heavy resistance. As the intensity of the hostile fire increased, leading elements were pinned down and unable to continue the advance. A well camouflaged enemy emplacement, directly in front of the assaulting platoon, continuously swept the terrain with automatic weapons and grenade fire, endangering the entire friendly unit. In a desperate attempt to eliminate the menace, Major Clark, with complete disregard for his own safety, advanced to neutralize the hostile position. Rapidly firing his pistol to keep the enemy down, he advanced to a point where he was able to throw a hand grenade into the emplacement, and succeeded in destroying it while killing its occupants. As a result of Major Clark’s courageous actions, his unit was relieved of much pressure and enabled it to overrun the remaining opposition. The gallantry in action and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Clark on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
9th Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
May 16, 1951
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 220 (1951)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 (Infantry) William Doran Clark (ASN: 0-27448), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 16 May 1951 in the vicinity of Chunchon, Korea. On that day Captain Clark led his company on a routine patrol to probe enemy lines. As the company was crossing open terrain it was subjected to intense enemy fire which forced the men to seek cover. Noticing that two wounded men lay in an exposed position, Captain Clark and the company aidman went back, braving the deadly enemy fire to pick up the two wounded men. To get these two wounded men to safety, Captain Clark and the aidman constructed a crude stretcher and carried them out, all the time being subjected to intense enemy fire. Captain Clark’s gallantry and devotion to the members of his command reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
9th Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
October 7, 1951
Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 70 (February 5, 1952)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) William Doran Clark (ASN: 0-27448), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Captain Clark distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on in the vicinity of Mungdungni, Korea, on 7 October 1951. On that date, a friendly infantry company was engaged in an attack against a numerically superior hostile force occupying heavily fortified hill positions. As the friendly troops neared their objective, they were subjected to a mortar and artillery barrage, couple with a heavy volume of small-arms and automatic-weapons fire from the enemy positions. With the company commander and all company officers wounded by the intense hostile fire, the friendly troops, most of whom were inexperienced and under fire for the first time, became disorganized. Realizing that the confusion of men might result in their annihilation and that, without an organized effort, the attack was lost, Major Clark immediately rushed forward through the heavy enemy fire and assumed command of the faltering friendly troops. Through his self-confident manner and personal example of fearlessness, he rallied the men and led them forward in a renewed assault. Although he was painfully wounded by the fire pouring down from the hostile emplacements, Major Clark refused to be evacuated. Directing the friendly troops, he continually urged them onward with words of encouragement. His great tactical skill and complete disregard for his personal safety so inspired the friendly troops that they swept forward and routed the hostile force from the hill with heavy casualties. The extraordinary heroism and completely selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Clark throughout this action reflect the greatest credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.