The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant William D. McClain (MCSN: 2024794), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company K, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the morning of 16 May 1968, while participating in a search and destroy operation near the Khe Sanh Combat Base, elements of Company K suddenly came under a heavy volume of small arms fire from several North Vietnamese soldiers occupying a defensive position on top of a hill. Although painfully wounded during the initial moments of the fire fight, Sergeant McClain resolutely continued to move about the hazardous area, encouraging his men and skillfully directing their fire against the hostile emplacements. When ordered to withdraw so that supporting arms could be employed against the enemy, he skillfully maneuvered his Marines to an advantageous position and calmly moved among his men, ensuring that they were preparing for an assault on the hostile soldiers. When the supporting arms fir ceased, Sergeant McClain unhesitatingly moved forward, and although his weapon malfunctioned, he led his men in a determined assault upon the North Vietnamese positions. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near him, he maneuvered his men up the hill while throwing hand grenades at the hostile emplacements, and as he exposed himself to the accurate enemy fire, he was mortally wounded. His bold initiative and heroic actions inspired all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, aggressive leadership and steadfast devotion to duty, Sergeant McClain upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.