The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Corporal William E. Waltrip (MCSN: 310306), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for gallantry in action at New Georgia, Solomon Islands in killing two of the enemy while he was on reconnaissance and subsequently leading his squad forward to kill an enemy machine gun crew and capture their weapon on 20 July 1943.