The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Second Lieutenant William Junior Dawson, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 16 August 1969, in the vicinity of Liem Thuan Hamlet, Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam. While voluntarily accompanying a Vietnamese Sea Commando Team on a combat mission deep within enemy territory, Second Lieutenant Dawson’s outstanding display of bravery and professional skill was highly instrumental in the successful completion of this mission, En route to an enemy bunker complex with a captured prisoner of war, his team was taken under heavy small arms fire on several occasions by enemy patrols and only through his excellent knowledge of reconnaissance procedures was he able to elude the enemy patrols and proceed to his objective. Upon arrival in the objective area, he positioned his team and lifted the tunnel entrance cover to throw in a grenade. When the tunnel cover was lifted the Viet Cong inside threw a grenade out. Without hesitation or thoughts of his own personal safety, Second Lieutenant Dawson retrieved the enemy grenade and hurled it back into the tunnel complex. His heroic action prevented death to his team. The remaining Viet Cong in the tunnel complex were killed by the team members as they rallied to battle, spurred on by the exemplary conduct of Second Lieutenant Dawson. His complete disregard for his own safety and outstanding display of bravery were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.