William Nathaniel McCormack

Sergeant, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, Philippine Coast Artillery Command, General Orders No. 21 (April 6, 1942)
CITATION:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Corporal William N. McCormack (MCSN: 278612), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Silver Star (Army Award) for gallantry in action at Corregidor, Philippine Islands on 6 April 1942.

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, Philippine Coast Artillery Command, General Orders No. 24 (April 14, 1942)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Army Award) to Corporal William N. McCormack (MCSN: 278612), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action at Fort Mills, Philippine Islands, on April 9, 1942, while serving with Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Fort Mills, P.I.
When an enemy bomb caved in a tunnel sheltering a gun grew of the 91st Coast Artillery (PS), trapping several men therein, Corporal McCormack, without regard for his personal safety, voluntarily left a place of shelter and proceeded a distance of two hundred yards over open ground to the scene of the cave-in, and aided in digging out the trapped men.

GENERAL ORDERS:
Serial 345 (April 29, 1946)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in addition to a Previously Awarded Oak Leaf Clusters in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star (Navy Award) to Corporal William N. McCormack (MCSN: 278612), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, FOURTH Marine Regiment, as a Member of the Beach Defenses, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Corregidor, Philippine Islands, 2 May 1942.
When direct hostile artillery hits on our powered magazines caused disastrous explosions and set fire to several ammunition dumps nearby, Corporal McCormack voluntarily, and without orders, made his way through the flaming debris and flying shell fragments to assist in evacuating the wounded and in extinguishing the inferno. Heroically preserving in his valiant efforts under control and in removing valuable materials from the battery and, ignoring renewed enemy artillery and air bombardments, removed many wounded and trapped men to safety. By his resolute courage and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal McCormack was instrumental in saving numerous lives, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Services.

GENERAL ORDERS:
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 306 (September 1942)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a Previously Awarded Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star (Army Award) to Corporal William N. McCormack (MCSN: 278612), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, FOURTH Marine Regiment, in action on 13 April 1942 following a heavy Japanese artillery barrage upon Battery JAMES, Fort Mills, Corregidor, Philippine Islands.
When personnel of the battery were trapped as they sought shelter in nearby tunnels, Corporal McCormack readily volunteered, although the position was under close enemy observation and steady fire, to rescue his comrades. Disregarding the imminent danger of collapsing walls and roofs, Corporal McCormack heroically entered the tunnels, assisted in extracting trapped soldiers, and gave first aid to the wounded. Corporal McCormack's gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

GENERAL ORDERS:
NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 - 1947
CITATION:
Corporal William N. McCormack (MCSN: 278612), United States Marine Corps, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until returned to U.S. Military control at the end of the war.