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 First Class William E. Brakeman (ASN: RA-33687958), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Medical Company, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in Korea. On 4 November 1951 at 0400 hours, while advancing to the assault position with the Raider Platoon, Private First Class Brakeman was given his position to take up to care for the wounded. He was told to set up in a shell crater about 35 yards from the crest of the hill along with the machine gunner. When the platoon initially engaged the enemy there was a heavy flow of wounded returning to the shell crater for the treatment and evacuation. Private First Class Brakeman, although aiding over half of the platoon while under small arms fire and grenades, maintained a coolness that enabled him to give urgently needed aid expeditiously. In addition to his treatment of casualties he also operated the platoon’s radio, keeping them tied in to the command net for timely orders and reports. After the initial influx of walking wounded had been cared for he observed several comrades who were unable to get up that he knew needed aid. He then unhesitatingly went forward under a hail of bullets. Finding the first man dead he moved from one to another, ending up where Maytemura lay on the top of the position in the middle of the fire fight and gave sorely needed aid, and remained with him until the platoon was ready to withdraw and a stretcher was brought up. He then took one part of the stretcher and carried in the other hand what arms he could pick up, back to the line of departure. Private First Class Brakeman’s exemplary courage and selfless devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.