The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class William Allen Hayes (MCSN: 2359755), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 6 June 1968. While serving with the Second Platoon and on security patrol near Con Thien, Private First Class Hayes and the platoon were ambushed by approximately two companies of enemy forces. Surrounded and pinned down for four hours without communication and additional support, an order was given to “fix bayonets” and charge the entrenched enemy defensive position. “Helmetless and bare chested,” Private First Class Hayes, holding an M-26 fragmentation grenade in each hand, chose to assault an enemy machine gun emplacement. In his assault, Private First Class Hayes was able to toss, underhanded, the grenade in his left hand toward the machine gun position. Before an accurate attempt to destroy the machine gun with the second grenade in his right hand, he was mortally wounded with his body falling headlong into the enemy position causing a lack of maneuverability of the machine gun. This heroic action is credited with directly saving the life of a fellow Marine in the assault of the position, allowing for the eventual success of breaking contact with the enemy and relief by friendly forces. Private First Class Hayes’ courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.