The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private William S. Wendell (MCSN: 465181), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company B, First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines (Engineer), SECOND Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands on 3 July 1944. When the front line company with which he was serving was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire, Private First Class Wendell unhesitatingly advanced in front of his own lines without the protection of covering fire and, succeeded in destroying the hostile machine gun position. His courage, initiative and zealous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.