The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant William Baxter Gilley (MCSN: 2090023), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with the Second Platoon, Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 May 1967, during Operation Hickory, the Third Platoon of Company F came under intense fire from a well entrenched North Vietnamese force which temporarily pinned down the Marine unit. In an attempt to draw fire away from the beleaguered platoon, Sergeant Gilley courageously led his squad in an assault against the enemy’s flank. Almost immediately his squad came under heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire, forcing Sergeant Gilley to break contact with the enemy. Boldly launching three more assaults against the North Vietnamese force, the Marines aggressively attacked the enemy and on each occasion were driven back by intense automatic weapons and small arms fire. As his squad moved to more secure positions, Sergeant Gilley was informed that a member of his squad had been severely wounded and was lying exposed to enemy fire unable to move. Disregarding his own safety, he unhesitatingly rushed through the heavy enemy fire toward the casualty and was severely wounded in the leg. Undaunted, he continued his advance until he reached the side of the wounded man. Ignoring his own painful wound, Sergeant Gilley placed the Marine on his shoulders and carried him to the safety of the squad’s position. His aggressive fighting spirit and bold initiative inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the life of the wounded Marine. By his courage, resolute determination and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Sergeant Gilley upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.