The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant William Howlett (MCSN: 0-13073), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the Third Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Finegayan, Guam, Mariana Islands on 3 August 1944. Although still in a weakened condition as a result of wounds received in previous combat, First Lieutenant Howlett unhesitatingly volunteered to act as Infantry Commander of the advance guard of a motorized patrol. When the vehicles of his unit encountered an enemy road block and were subject to a heavy concentration of machine gun, mortar and anti-tank weapon fire, he immediately ordered his troops out of their carriers and skillfully deployed them on either side of the road. Then, courageous moving forward under intense hostile fire, First Lieutenant Howlett determined the location of the Japanese positions and enabled his men to direct accurate, devastating fire into the emplacement thereby contributing materially to the ultimate success of the patrol before he was mortally wounded. His splendid initiative indomitable fighting spirit and unselfish devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were undoubtedly instrumental in saving the lives of several of his men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.