The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal William C. Northington (MCSN: 2407330), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 February 1969, Company A was conducting a search and destroy operation in the A Shau Valley when the Marines came under a heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and rocket-propelled grenade fire from a North Vietnamese Army force occupying well-fortified emplacements. Observing that the company was temporarily pinned down by the intense hostile fire, Lance Corporal Northington unhesitatingly initiated an aggressive assault against an enemy machine gun position and delivered suppressive fire with his weapon until it malfunctioned. Reacting instantly, he resourcefully seized a rifle from a fallen companion and resolutely continued his aggressive tactics as he shouted words of encouragement to his companions. After his platoon had achieved fire superiority, Lance Corporal Northington fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain from one Marine position to another, disregarding the North Vietnamese Army rounds impacting nearby as he assisted in administering first aid treatment to the casualties. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his company’s accounting for 107 hostile soldiers killed. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Northington contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.