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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) William James Dolan (ASN: 0-1688721), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving Platoon Leader of the 1st Platoon of Company E, 2d Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. First Lieutenant Dolan distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Wonju, Korea, on 14 February 1951. When Communist forces seized hill 255 four miles northwest of Wonju and. Seriously threatened the communications center in that city, Company E was ordered to retake the hill and surrounding high ground in a coordinated attack with other elements of the 2d Battalion. Lieutenant Dolan was ordered to attack with his platoon on the right of Company E. The platoon reached the military crest of the hill, but was forced to fall back in the face of withering machine-gun fire. In this initial attack Lieutenant Dolan was wounded in the thigh by grenade fragments but refused to leave his platoon for medical aid. Three subsequent attempts were made to reach the crest of the hill, but each time the platoon was forced back. With casualties steadily mounting in his platoon, Lieutenant Dolan decided his only chance for success was to storm the enemy position. Reorganizing his platoon, he instructed each man of his plan, and on his signal the platoon made an assault up the hill and into the very midst of the enemy. In the savage hand-to-hand fighting which ensued, Lieutenant Dolan personally killed over thirty of the enemy with his carbine, hand grenades, and rifle butt. Inspired by the actions of the 1st platoon, another element of the attacking force reached the hill crest from the flank and engaged in the fray. After the objective had been secured, a total of 451 enemy dead were counted, the majority of which were credited to Lieutenant Dolan’s platoon. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.