The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William R. Farley (MCSN: 463996), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Automatic Rifleman while serving with Battery I, Third Battalion, Fourteenth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, June 27, 1944. When his battery position was fired on at close range by approximately forty-five Japanese who had infiltrated into the battalion area at dawn, Private First Class Farley valiantly stood in the road and, under intense hostile fire, kept the enemy pinned down until the stretcher-bearers had safely evacuated the wounded and the rest of the battalion had made a necessary withdrawal to wait for reinforcements. His cool initiative, steadfast courage and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Farley and the United States Naval Service.