The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) William Conyers Fite, II (ASN: 0-21331), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 30 January 1945. Major Fite, the commanding officer of an Infantry battalion, was at an advance observation post, watching the progress of his unit’s attack against an enemy-held hill, when an enemy machine gun opened fire, and seriously wounded a soldier who lay in an exposed position under the hostile fire. Major Fite immediately left his sheltered position to go to the injured man’s aid, and although Japanese machine gun bullets kicked up dust around his feet, he successfully reached the casualty and helped carry him to a position of safety. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Fite, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) William Conyers Fite, II (ASN: 0-21331), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 29 November 1943. Major Fite courageously exposed himself to the extremely close-range enemy fire to rescue an officer who had been mortally wounded while both were risking their lives in a desperate attempt to save a patrol trapped by the Japanese on the ledge of a steep bluff at Bougainville, Solomon Islands. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Fite, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.