The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major [then Captain] William Regas (MCSN: 0-26574), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Forward Air Controller attached to the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 18 July 1952. Assigned the mission of locating a downed aircraft while voluntarily flying with an observation squadron, Major Regas courageously flew his plane at a dangerously low altitude and carried out two passes over the area in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire to make a positive identification and to search for signs of life. When the observer accompanying him was unable to identify the downed aircraft, Major Regas unhesitatingly descended to a lower level despite the heavy volume of enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Although his plane was subjected to enemy fire from all directions, he maintained his low-level position to enable the observer to thoroughly search the area. Continuing to circle over the crashed plane, he requested artillery fire to encompass it and protect the occupants, if any, from the enemy, fearlessly remaining over the danger zone until friendly fighter planes arrived to cover the downed aircraft. By his superb airmanship, exceptional initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Major Regas served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.