"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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Samuel Vaughn Wilson (ASN: 0-36566/0-1290347), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 5307th Composite Unit in action in North Burma on 15 March 1944. Because of command inefficiency, two platoons of a combat team were pinned down, unable to return fire, retreat, or evacuate their wounded. Lieutenant Wilson, although not a member of this team, acting on his own initiative and with utter disregard for his own life, took over command. Setting up mortars, Lieutenant Wilson personally crawled to the Japanese lines and using radio, directed mortar fire on the enemy. As a result the platoons were able to withdraw, though still under heavy fire. Lieutenant Wilson, under this fire, carried back two wounded men of one of the platoons that had withdrawn to a safe position. He immediately reorganized the team, saving the entire unit from being routed and badly shot up. Lieutenant Wilson’s actions are representative of the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."