The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Willie S. Bass (ASN: US-53091109), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 2 September 1952 and 9 September 1952 in the vicinity of Chorwon, North Korea. On the first date, Sergeant Bass volunteered to take a small patrol in front of the Main Line of Resistance in an attempt to locate a platoon leader who was missing in action from a patrol of the previous night. Sergeant Bass maneuvered his patrol into enemy territory where they immediately came under heavy enemy automatic weapons fire. Exhibiting supreme courage and coolness he continued to advance until he reached his objective, thoroughly searching the area and definitely establishing the fact that the missing officer was not in the vicinity. On the latter date, Sergeant Bass again greatly distinguished himself when he was a member of a reconnaissance patrol that contacted a numerically superior enemy force and was subjected to intense enemy mortar fire. When the patrol leader fell wounded he took command at once, assigning firing positions and bringing deadly fire upon the enemy forces. Only when the patrol’s position became untenable did Sergeant Bass order a withdrawal and evacuation of all wounded which was successfully accomplished although hindered by heavy enemy fire. Not once did he lose control of the situation or his men. The gallantry in action displayed by Sergeant Bass reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.