Corporal William P. McCraney, Infantry, United States Army. Corporal McCraney. a member of Company F, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy north of Seoul, Korea on 21 May 1951. On that date, Corporal McCraney’s squad was participating in an assault against a fanatically determined hostile force firmly entrenched on Hill 329. As the squad advanced, it was suddenly subjected to heavy automatic-weapons fire which forced the men to seek cover. Realizing the necessity for immediate action, Corporal McCraney crawled across the fireswept terrain toward the hostile machine-gun emplacement and succeeded in neutralizing it with grenades. This action enabled his men to resume their attack; but, as they reached the main enemy defenses, they were again pinned down by small-arms fire and bursting grenades. Securing an automatic rifle, Corporal McCraney rallied his men and charged forward toward the crest of the hill, raking the hostile entrenchments with accurate fire as he advanced. Although painfully wounded in this assault, he nevertheless managed to destroy an enemy strongpoint containing five men. This action breached the hostile defenses and gained a foothold on the crest of the hill for his men who subsequently routed the enemy from their positions. With the objective secured, Corporal McCraney then assisted one of his wounded comrades through the heavy sniper fire to an aid station at the base of the hill. The extraordinary heroism and steadfast devotion to duty displayed by Corporal McCraney throughout this action reflect great credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Entered the Federal service from Louisiana. (This award supersedes the award of the Silver Star to this enlisted man for gallantry in action on the same date., as published in Section I, General Orders Number 484, Headquarters 25th Infantry Division, 3 August 1951).