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 Warrant Officer (W-1) William Warren Breece, Jr. (ASN: W-3161836), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Troop A, 7th Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 5 December 1968. Warrant Officer Breece distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as pilot of an OH-6A light observation helicopter on a search and destroy operation in support of friendly ground forces east of Rach Gia. Intelligence information indicated that a squad sized enemy unit had earlier retreated toward an open field to the north and the friendly ground forces formed a line to make a complete sweep of the area. He was searching the area ahead of the advancing ground troops when he received enemy automatic weapons fire which severely wounded him in the arm and shoulder. Warrant Officer Breece, though badly wounded and with the knowledge of the extremely dangerous position of the friendly ground troops, attacked the insurgents with min-gun fire. He received word that enemy fire was still being directed at the ground troops. Although bleeding profusely and fully realizing the danger involved, he initiated another attack on the enemy emplacement, at which time he was again struck by an enemy round which mortally wounded him. Through Warrant Officer Breece’s quick thinking, aggressive action, and extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force, many friendly lives were saved. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.