The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Arthur C. Williamson (ASN: 32751723), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 10 October 1944, about one-half mile from ****, Holland. During his platoon’s assault on an enemy wooded strongpoint supported by a camouflaged pillbox and numerous machine guns, the leading squad in which Private Williamson was rifle grenadier managed to pierce the enemy positions and reached a dyke roadbed behind the wooded area. At this point all contact with the remainder of the platoon was lost and the squad, being completely cut off, faced certain capture or eventual annihilation. Recognizing the necessity for immediately regaining contact, the squad leader dispatched a runner to the rear. This runner was killed almost immediately, and a second runner was seriously wounded. At this point Private Williamson volunteered to carry a message through the enemy positions to his platoon leader. While en route he suffered two painful wounds in his leg from enemy small arms fire. Despite the acute pain which made it impossible for him to walk, Private Williamson, ever mindful of the necessity for delivering the message so as to save the lives of his comrades, crept and crawled approximately 100 yards through continued small arms fire until he reestablished contact with the remainder of the platoon. Upon receipt of the message, the platoon leader ordered the lead squad’s withdrawal, and another volunteer runner delivered the order for withdrawal to the squad leader. By his heroic tenacity and unselfish conduct Private Williamson rendered a service that enabled his squad to withdraw from an untenable position with a minimum of casualties. His gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.