The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) William Forsell Ericson, II, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 15 July 1969, while serving as platoon leader with the 1st Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion Airborne, 503d Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate). On that day at approximately 2035 hours, the platoon’s night position was attacked by a Viet Cong force of unknown size. Lieutenant Erickson, the first to detect the enemy movement, gave the alarm causing the enemy to prematurely initiate the assault. His quick thinking and action saved members of his platoon from being seriously wounded. Immediately after the assault, Lieutenant Erickson personally led a patrol out to locate the elusive enemy force. After traveling approximately one hundred meters, his patrol came under attack. This time Lieutenant Erickson charged the enemy position alone. While performing this courageous act, he was fatally wounded. Lieutenant Erickson’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior force was in keeping with the best traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.