The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Ted W. Williams (MCSN: 430506), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a machine gunner of company C, First Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 10 March 1945. After the advance of an assault platoon was held up by a concealed enemy machine gun, Private First Class Williams voluntarily went forward of the front lines despite intense hostile fire to reconnoiter and, upon locating the enemy position returned to his own lines with vital information. Still under fire he guided a tank into position and directed its fire to destroy the three Japanese manning the machine gun. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.