The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Bill Gillett (MCSN: 349691), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company B, First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines (Engineer), SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Mariana Islands, 2 August 1944. Rallying the men about him when ammunition was low and relief and supply seemed hopeless during an attack on his battalion, Private First Class Gillett rendered valuable service and, armed with an automatic rifle, exercised excellent fire discipline to hold his fire until he was able to kill many hostile officers and non-commissioned officers. Though he was severely wounded during the last of three hostile attacks, he assisted materially in repelling this assault and, by his courage, initiative and zealous devotion to duty throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.