Leslie Conrad Williams

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Leslie Conrad Williams (0-49933), Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Leader in Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces south of Yudam-ni, Korea, on 1 December 1950. When intense and accurate hostile fire pinned down and inflicted heavy casualties on part of his platoon during a company assault against a well-entrenched, numerically superior enemy force occupying commanding ground, Second Lieutenant Williams personally disposed his support squad in tactical positions in the face of hostile small-arms and automatic weapons fire and skillfully reorganized the remaining platoon members in order to continue the advance. Spearheading an aggressive frontal attack, he courageously led his men in a fierce hand-to-hand struggle with the enemy and, moving boldly among his group, directed its fire and encouraged its members to greater efforts in overwhelming the enemy. His quick initiative, gallant leadership and indomitable devotion to duty in the face of extremely heavy hostile opposition were contributing factors in the successful seizure of the Battalion objective, thereby reflecting the highest credit upon Second Lieutenant Williams and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.