William J. Bryan

Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 95 (March 13, 1945)
CITATION:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel William J. Bryan (ASN: 0-294945), United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Headquarters, 2d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, on 26 to 27 January 1945.

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 63d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 109 (April 19, 1945)
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 to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William J. Bryan (ASN: 0-294945), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 2d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 18 March 1945, in the vicinity of Ensheim, Germany.
Lieutenant Colonel Bryan displayed outstanding courage and leadership in coordinating the units under his command in their assault on the Seigfried line. Time after time he exposed himself under heavy concentrations of artillery fire in order to control the operations of his subordinate units. His utter disregard for personal safety while in front line units contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of the mission of his regiment and merited the praise of all the officers and men under his command. The morale of the troops was greatly enhanced by Lieutenant Colonel Bryan's presence while his troops were subjected to intense artillery and sniper fire.