GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 444  11 October 1953

 

    AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL  - By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (Sec II, WD Bul 3, 1944), and pursuant to authority in AR 600-45, the Bronze Star Medal with Letter "V" device for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States is awarded to the following named officer and enlisted men:

First Lieutenant WILLIAM L. KRIGBAUM, 0996439, Infantry, Heavy Mortar Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the late afternoon of 27 July 1953, in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, Heavy Mortar Company was subjected to an intense enemy bombardment. In the barrage, a round struck the communications tent and seriously wounded eight occupants. Upon learning of the incident, Lieutenant KRIGBAUM, the company commander, immediately ran through the barrage to aid the casualties. He rapidly summoned a vehicle and assisted a medical aidman in giving first aid to the wounded. After having prepared the men for evacuation, he supervised their removal to a collecting station. Following this, he courageously moved about the terrain under fire in search of other casualties and then drove his vehicle through the artillery fire to the medical aid station. Here, he checked the condition of the casualties and did everything possible to comfort them. Lieutenant KRIGBAUM'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Illinois.

  Source: Record Group 338: General Orders 3rd Infantry Division, Boxes 129 to 131 - National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.