William E. Owen

Private, U. S. Army

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 37th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 278 (August 26, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private William E. Owen (ASN: 33604346), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 37th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, during World War II.
Our forces were advancing along Highway 5 in the Orioung Pass Area on 12 June 1945, when three enemy soldiers, each armed with pole charges, dashed from the brush beside the road in an attempt to disable the leading tanks. They were immediately killed, but other Japanese soldiers on a ridge 200 yards away began placing intense rifle and machine gun fire on our leading elements. The tanks were unable to advance to meet this fire as the pole charges from the initial attack blocked further frontal movement. Private Owen started crawling forward in an attempt to remove the changes. However, the heavy hostile fire drove him back. His squad then concentrated additional fire on the Japanese emplacements and a few minutes later Private Owen again crawled forward. Undeterred by the continual enemy fire, he succeeded in reaching the charges and removing the dangerous obstacles, permitting the tanks to continue the advance and neutralize the hostile positions. Later Private Owen was fatally wounded in action against the enemy.
His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.