The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant William H. Baker (MCSN: 2036045), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company G, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 March 1966, during Operation UTAH, Sergeant Baker’s unit was subjected to intense hostile fire while conducting search and destroy operations in the vicinity of Chau Nhai, Quang Ngai Province. Despite heavy machine gun and automatic weapons fire originating from a well-concealed trench line connecting fortified machine gun bunkers, Sergeant Baker courageously exposed himself to rally his men and lead an assault on the enemy positions. As a result of his daring leadership, his men penetrated the enemy lines, destroyed two machine gun positions which had inflicted heavy friendly casualties and killed at least ten Viet Cong, thus enabling Marine units to advance. Although still under intense fire, Sergeant Baker fearlessly moved along the platoon positions, reorganizing his unit and directing fire which minimized the enemy counterattack which followed. His aggressive action allowed the remainder of the company to move through the hostile positions and relieve pressure from adjacent units and made possible the evacuation of the seriously wounded men. By his inspiring leadership, intrepid fighting spirit and unfaltering dedication to duty throughout, Sergeant Baker upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.