The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain William R. Lucas (MCSN: 0-33079), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of an unarmed Observation Plane in Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 2 March 1951. Spotting a well-concealed hostile force strategically located on a ridge and commanding an area occupied by friendly forces, Captain Lucas immediately radioed the location of the positions and informed the advancing units that he would endeavor to neutralize the hostile emplacements by air strikes. After contacting and briefing close support aircraft, he executed low altitude dives to pinpoint and mark the locations by dropping smoke grenades and, despite heavy enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, remained over the target area to direct the planes in their rocket and strafing runs to rout the enemy from the hill. By his superb airmanship, cool courage under fire and heroic actions throughout, Captain Lucas was directly instrumental in the continued forward advance of friendly troops, and his zealous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.