The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Brigadier General William E. Riley (MCSN: 0-829), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, while serving as Assistant Chief of Staff, War Plans, on the Staff of the Commander THIRD Fleet from 16 June 1944 to 26 January 1945. General Riley prepared concepts for the occupation of Palau and coordinated the plans of the Expeditionary Force Commander with the broader operational plans of the Task Fleet Commander. During the period 1 September 1944 to 26 January 1945 he acted as advisor to Commander THIRD Fleet on amphibious and ground operations in the Western Pacific and Southwest Pacific and thereby assisted in the selection of Fleet operational plans best suited to support and supplement concurrent land operations. Because of his grasp of the general situation and by reason of his excellent military personality, he was able to render valuable service to Commander THIRD Fleet as liaison officer to the Commander in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, on occasion. General Riley’s performance of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Marine Corps. (Brigadier General Riley is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Second LieutenantRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 6 – July 10, 1918
Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesBy direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Second Lieutenant William E. Riley (MCSN: 0-829), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Second Lieutenant Riley distinguished himself while serving with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June to 10 July 1918.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
July 22, 1943 – April 8, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General William E. Riley (MCSN: 0-829), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Assistant War Plans Officer and subsequently as Assistant Chief of Staff, War Plans, on the Staff of the Commander, South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force in the preparations for the operations of troops of that command from 22 July 1943 to 8 April 1944. Displaying keen insight into the problems of amphibious warfare, painstaking care in planning, and shrewd and skillful judgment, Brigadier General Riley was instrumental in preparing plans for the assault of Vella Lavella, Bougainville, Green and Emirau Island which materially advanced the progress of the war and resulted in the saving of large numbers of lives of Allied troops. His thorough knowledge of landing operations and his grasp of the strategic situation contributed in large part toward enabling the theater commander to by-pass heavily defended enemy bases, thereby hastening operations at a minimum cost in casualties. The comprehensive knowledge, brilliant strategic planning, and careful preparation displayed by Brigadier General Riley throughout this period reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Second LieutenantRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
July 19, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 5 (1937)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 Second Lieutenant William E. Riley (MCSN: 0-829), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action while serving with the 95th Company, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Tignny and Parcy-Tigny, France, 19 July 1918. When the company commander was mortally wounded, Lieutenant Riley assumed command and courageously led the company forward under intense machine gun and artillery fire until he himself was severely wounded.