MSG Bill Krilling, USA (Ret.), who received the Distinguished Cross for extraordinary valor in combat in Korea, was honored at Fort Benning when the new Krilling Action Pistol Range was dedicated. He is shown here with a painting that was unveiled at the dedication depicting him in Korean War winter combat clothing. The painting will be permanently displayed in the Krilling Range administrative center.

A highly decorated war hero in the Korean War who subsequently became a national and international champion shooter and world-renowned rifle coach was honored at Fort Benning, Georgia, on 21 October, when a new combat pistol range was named in his honor.

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.

Bill Krilling prepares to fire the “first shot” on the new Krilling Action Pistol Range with an M1D Garand. This rifle was presented to him by the CMP in 1999 in recognition of his heroism in combat.

After competing in highpower rifle and CISM (International Military Sport Council) competitions, Krilling was assigned to the U. S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s International Rifle Section in 1959. During the time he was at USAMU, Krilling won seven medals in international competition including a Pan-American Games silver medal and World Championship bronze medal. He was a member of two World record-setting teams and won six National Championships.

Krilling served in the Army 24 years and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1971. He subsequently coached the Mexican National Shooting Team and, in 1973, returned to USAMU as coach of its International Rifle Team. He coached Army and U. S. Shooting Teams in many international competitions; in 1998, he was honored with the prestigious USOC National Shooting Coach of the Year award. Krilling is a member of the U. S. Army Marksmanship Unit Hall of Fame.

LTC Gordon Rogers, Medal of Honor recipient, was the guest speaker at the Krilling Range dedication. Bill Krilling is seated at the right with USAMU Commander LTC Ty Connett.

The new Krilling Range is an action and combat shooting range that is now the home of the USAMU Action Shooting Team. The Army requires that to have a range named in one’s honor, that person must have received either the Congressional Medal of Honor or the Distinguished Service Cross. Krilling’s war heroism, national and international shooting successes and his world-wide recognition as an outstanding rifle coach qualified him for this unique honor.

The Range Dedication Ceremony was held at Krilling Range on Fort Benning as one of the events marking the 50th anniversary of the Army Marksmanship Unit. Guest speaker at the dedication ceremony was Lt. Colonel Gordon Rogers, who is currently the youngest living recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, having received the CMH for extraordinary valor in combat in Viet Nam. LTC Rogers is also an active participant in rifle competition and recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq.