12-191 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

During the Korean War, William E. “Bill” Krilling served as an infantry company First Sergeant who distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy. On 13 February 1953, in the vicinity of Satae-ri, Krilling assumed command of a combat patrol when the patrol leader was wounded in the initial stages of a fire fight. He led the patrol members in an attack through a mine field during an intense enemy barrage. When the patrol reached enemy trenches, Krilling, even though wounded, drove the enemy troops from their position. After three companions were wounded by a grenade, Krilling ran through enemy fire to subdue the enemy. Although weakened from loss of blood, he carried three men to safety. The patrol was subsequently ambushed, but Krilling calmly directed supporting fire on the enemy squad and guided his men to a successful escape. For his heroism the U. S. Army awarded him the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest decoration for extraordinary valor in combat

Between the Korean Conflict and Vietnam, Bill continued his shooting earning many accolades such as the distinguished rifleman Badge, CISM Champion, and team member of the winning National Trophy Team Match. In 1967 Bill served as an advisor to a Vietnamese infantry battalion.

Following his service in Vietnam, Bill again returned to the USAMU serving as a shooter, instructor, and coach. During his shooting career, Bill won six national championship titles. He was the first person to shoot a perfect 3,200 on the NRA outdoor prone course of fire. He won four gold medals, one silver medal and two bronze medals in international competitions. He retired in 1971 at the rank of Master Sergeant.

Bill rejoined the USAMU in May 1974 as the coach of the International Rifle Team. He also served as the U.S. National Team coach from 1981 to 1986 and has served in several different capacities for both the U.S. Team and the International Sport Shooting Federation. Bill was named the U.S. Olympic Committee 1998 National Shooting coach of the Year. Bill has served on numerous ISSF juries for world-level competitions include the juries for five Olympic Games. Bill was inducted into the AMU Hall of Fame in 1998. Between May of 1973 and March of 2001 he coached his team to 105 CISM medals, 172 CAT medals, 84 Pan Am medals, 185 World Cup Medals, and 4 Olympic Medals; a grand total of 550 medals won in international competition

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