The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel William Keller Rockey (MCSN: 0-50776), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 30 January 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Rockey received intelligence information that an estimated battalion size force of Viet Cong was moving into position in the Hoa Vong District of Quang Nam Province. Realizing the urgency for speed in exploiting the opportunity to engage and destroy the large hostile force, he immediately commenced his planning and coordination of friendly forces, including elements of the Third Amphibian Tractor Battalion and the First Tank Battalion, two Regional Forces companies and elements of several Combined Action Platoons. Within an hour and a half after receiving the initial intelligence information, Lieutenant Colonel Rockey launched an aggressive helicopter borne assault against the entrenched enemy force. Realizing that the village the Viet Cong held was heavily fortified, he skillfully established strongpoints surrounding the village which effectively sealed off all escape routes. After heavy air strikes and mortar and artillery bombardment, he joined the most heavily engaged company and launched an aggressive ground assault which succeeded in penetrating the enemy defenses. Ignoring the intense hostile fire impacting around him and quickly exploiting the penetration, he widened the gap in the enemy defenses and consolidated his position. When the Viet Cong launched human-wave counterattacks against the Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Rockey fearlessly moved from one position to another along the perimeter, shouting words of encouragement to his men who repelled each attack. During the night, the enemy attempted to break contact and withdraw. As a result of the skillful deployment of his forces, the Viet Cong were caught in a vicious crossfire which inflicted heavy losses on the disorganized and panic-stricken enemy soldiers. Throughout the night, he personally controlled artillery fire support and flare ship illumination while directing the efforts of his men in increasing the pressure on the besieged hostile forces. In the morning, he conducted a thorough search of the battle area in conjunction with an Army of the Republic of Vietnam unit. In the face of Lieutenant Colonel Rockey’s aggressive attack and relentless pursuit, numerous enemy soldiers realized the hopelessness of their situation and surrendered. As a result of his exceptional tactical ability and determined efforts, the successful operation accounted for 102 enemy confirmed killed, 88 Viet Cong captured and the seizure of 47 weapons and large quantities of ordnance, equipment and valuable documents. By his inspiring leadership, unfaltering determination and steadfast devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Rockey was instrumental in the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.