The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) William D. Brown, Jr. (ASN: 0-2017003), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 23 June 1951, C Company’s Third Platoon attacked the west sector of Hill 717. Halted almost immediately by hostile automatic weapons and small arms fire, the platoon was ordered by Lieutenant Brown to fix bayonets and charge the enemy positions. Their furious advance carried them almost to the crest of the hill, but the lethal fire of a machine gun greatly hampered the assault. Lieutenant Brown, ordering his men to lay down a protective covering fire, courageously and single-handedly rushed the enemy emplacement. Even though wounded by an exploding grenade, he hurled a return grenade which landed directly in the position, silencing the weapon. Engaging the enemy troops who were attempting to run from the area, Lieutenant Brown shot one escaping soldier and bayoneted two others in the wrecked emplacement. The gallantry and brave leadership exhibited by Lieutenant Brown were paramount factors in the successful capture of his unit’s objective and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.