Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Technical Sergeant

Unit:

Company K, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division "Tough 'Ombres", U.S. Army (Company K, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division "Tough 'Ombres", U.S. Army)

Technical Sergeant William W. Masters, 6285081. Company K, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in Germany. On 21 March 1945, during an assault against Bretzenheim, Germany, Sergeant Masters’ platoon was pinned down by intense enemy machine-gun fire. Accompanied by an Automatic rifleman, Sergeant Masters started forward to silence the gun. The rifleman was hit but the intrepid Sergeant continued on alone, working his way forward under a hail of fire. He hurled a hand grenade into the enemy position and killed the gunner, killed the assistant gunner when he attempted to take over the gun and the non-commissioned officer in charge when he tried to rally his men. Leaderless and demoralized by Sergeant Masters’ heroic action the rest of the enemy crew surrendered to him. Sergeant Masters heroic action permitted his platoon to advance and seize the town. The fearless determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the service.


Posthumously awarded.
Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 131 (4 June 1945).