The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant William Henry Emanuel Gross, Jr. (MCSN: 1152829), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant with Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 5 September 1966. On that day, Gunnery Sergeant Gross displayed uncommon valor and exceptional leadership in actions against the enemy. Sweeping toward a village, the Company became heavily engaged in a firefight with a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Fighting from an elaborate system of trenches located within the village, the enemy poured devastating M-79 grenades, and automatic and semiautomatic weapons fire into the advancing friendly units. The Second Platoon of Company K and the flanking Vietnamese units were immediately pinned down by the intensity of the enemy fire. Gunnery Sergeant Gross, aware of the mounting casualties, courageously maneuvered his way through the fire which had isolated the Second Platoon. With complete disregard for his own safety, he then moved to the top of the rice paddy dike and, though fully exposed to enemy fire, began to saturate the Viet Cong positions with hand grenades. Inspired by his actions and encouraged by his verbal commands, the Marines of the Second Platoon rallied and immediately gained fire superiority over the enemy force, completely silencing its fire. As the platoon moved out of its exposed position to a more secure area, Gunnery Sergeant Gross positioned himself near the end of the column to provide security for the Marines against the now advancing Viet Cong. He insisted on remaining in the area until all the wounded men were treated or evacuated. Through his outstanding performance, numerous lives were saved and a potentially disastrous situation was avoided. By his courage, exemplary leadership and inspiring devotion to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Gross upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.