- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- Company M, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army (Company M, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army)
Staff Sergeant William M. Brown, 39259434, Infantry, United States Army, for heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States near *** [Lutrebois], Belgium on 31 December 1944. When a rifle company which his platoon was supporting was compelled to withdraw during the course of a powerful enemy counterattack, Sergeant Brown, a section leader, maintained his machine gun section in position for more than an hour, repelling three successive assaults and inflicting heavy casualties among the attacking Germans. Mounting pressure on both flanks finally made withdrawal mandatory, whereupon Sergeant Brown and his men brought each gun out of position and moved personnel and equipment to more advantageous positions without loss. Sergeant Brown’s coolness and leadership under fire reflects credit upon his character as a soldier.
Entered military service from California.
Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 14 (26 February 1945).