William THOMAS Mcdaniel

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to William Thomas McDaniel (0-12650), Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), [then Major], U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Operations Officer of the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel McDaniel distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces during the period 27 August to 19 October 1950, after he was captured by North Korean Army forces at Taejon, Korea on 20 July 1950. Lieutenant Colonel McDaniel was the senior officer in a column of some 370 American prisoners of ware being marched from Seoul to Pyongyang, North Korea. The prisoners were suffering from wounds, hunger, disease, malnutrition, and the constant brutality of enemy guards. At great personal danger, Lieutenant Colonel McDaniel continually interceded with the captors for food, medication, and better treatment of his men. By personal example, and with disregard for retribution which followed his efforts, he organized his fellow prisoners toward assisting the wounded and weak, not allowing them to be left behind. Lieutenant Colonel McDaniel inspired the men and restored the will to live and resist among the soldiers in the column. Additionally, he sanctioned and materially aided the prisoners who planned to escape the enemy-held column. Resisting his own instincts for safety and survival, he declined to participate in several successful escape attempts of others because of his unfailing loyalty to, and compassion for, his fellow prisoners. Lieutenant Colonel McDaniel’s refusal to break under mistreatment by his captors and inspirational leadership at a time when the North Koreans were intent upon breaking the morale and spirit of their captives, finally led to his execution at the hands of the North Koreans at the Sunchon Railway Tunnel. Lieutenant Colonel McDaniel’s courage and unwavering devotion to duty and his men were in keeping with the most cherished traditions and ideals of military service and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to William Thomas McDaniel (0-12650), Major, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a member of Headquarters Company, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action on 20 July 1950, at Taejon, Korea. After a Battery of 155 millimeter howitzers had been overrun by the enemy and the weapons turned on our own troops, Major McDaniel was ordered to neutralize the position. He gathered a group of volunteers from headquarters personnel and led the attack on the battery position. Despite intense small arms and mortar fire, Major McDaniel succeeded in retaking the howitzers. Going beyond his instructions, he brought up prime movers, coupled the guns and, through a hail of hostile fire, led the convoy out to a position of safety. By his inspirational leadership and outstanding courage, Major McDaniel not only neutralized the captured battery position, but succeeded in restoring to friendly forces the critically needed artillery pieces. His gallantry brought the highest credit to himself and to the military service.