William E. Bagwell

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to William E. Bagwell (RA20463269), Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On the afternoon of 10 June 1953, in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea, Company F assaulted enemy held Hill 412. During the first stages of the battle, Sergeant Bagwell assisted in the evacuation of the wounded. When the support of the reserve platoon was urgently needed and the radio operator was too exhausted to ascend one of the peaks to transmit the message, Sergeant Bagwell, taking over the radio, ascended the second peak of the hill in an attempt to relay the important request. Upon reaching the peak, he was subjected to intense concentrations of enemy shellfire, making successful radio transmission impossible. He then moved down the hill to the reserve platoon’s position and relayed the request for assistance and directed two squads back up the hill into position while under the heavy barrage. Upon completing his mission, he resumed his direction of the evacuation of wounded. In the last moments of the battle, Sergeant Bagwell moved up to the highest peak of the hill, exposing himself to the enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire, to make certain that all friendly soldiers had withdrawn from the area. Sergeant Bagwell’s outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.