The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospitalman William G. Araiza (NSN: 5688419), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Medical Corpsman attached to a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, on 26 September 1950. While under intense enemy small-arms, machine gun, and anti-tank fire, Hospitalman Araiza fearlessly risked his life to run forward from his covered position into the fire-swept area and, although painfully wounded, succeeded in pulling a wounded Marine for a distance of about 30 yards to a semi-covered position where he administered first aid. His exceptional courage, fortitude and inspiring devotion to duty on behalf of another reflect the highest credit upon Hospitalman Araiza and the United States Naval Service.