The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Master Sergeant William A. Bonacci (ASN: ER-16303644), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 3 July 1951, B Company’s Third Platoon was engaged in an attack on Hill 586, near Chich-on, Korea, when the squad assaulting the left flank of the enemy positions became suddenly subjected to the intense fire from a pillbox and pinned down. Realizing the inherent danger of remaining in such a position, Sergeant Bonacci quickly made his way to the company position where he secured a supply of hand grenades and then returned to the squad’s location. Having ascertained the bunker’s position, he deliberately exposed himself to the lethal hostile fire and advanced toward the emplacement. When he had come within a sure throwing range, Sergeant Bonacci hurled the grenades into it completely destroying the pillbox and its occupants. He then called for the squad to advance and charged forward with his comrades, although he had been wounded, until they had seized their objective. Sergeant Bonacci’s complete gallantry and fearless conduct on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

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 Sergeant William A. Bonacci (ASN: ER-16303644), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 23 April 1951, near Anahyon, Korea, Company B, 1st Battalion, after securing a commanding hill, became pinned down by severe enemy automatic weapons fire. In the ensuing action, four men were wounded in an open area near the crest of the hill and left alone when their platoon was forced to make a hasty withdrawal. Two of them managed to crawl to safety but the others were unable to help themselves in the least. Sergeant Bonacci, seeing their helplessness, ran across the exposed bullet-swept terrain and picking up a wounded soldier on his shoulders carried him to safety. Another soldier who attempted to repeat the Sergeant’s exemplary actions, fell wounded before he could reach his goal. Sergeant Bonacci, heedless of the risk involved, ran once more across the hazardous area and rescued his brave comrade. He was preparing to recover the body of the third soldier, when ordered to return to his unit’s position. Sergeant Bonacci’s courageous gallantry in action reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

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 [then Corporal] William A. Bonacci (ASN: ER-16303644), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 14 February 1951, near Chunjang-ni, Korea, Sergeant Bonacci’s platoon was occupying defensive positions on Hill 151 when attacked by an overwhelming number of enemy. When the order to withdraw to more tenable positions was given, Sergeant Bonacci volunteered to remain on the hill until all the men had withdrawn. While proceeding to the new positions, the enemy again ferociously attacked. Completely disregarding his exposed position, he directed a stream of bullets into the advancing enemy until he was jarred from his position by an enemy hand grenade. Having exhausted his ammunition, Sergeant Bonacci advanced and picked up a dead enemy soldier’s bandoleer and continued to fire. He then helped to guard a litter team which was evacuating wounded. The courage, gallantry, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Bonacci high credit upon himself and the military service.