The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class William F. Baggs, Jr. (ASN: 52816917), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 23 March 1969. Specialist Baggs distinguished himself while serving as a machine gunner on a combat operation in the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam. On the cited date, his platoon was moving along the base of a hill when it came under intense rocket propelled grenade and automatic weapons fire from well-camouflaged and fortified positions. During the initial exchange of fire, the last man and several others were seriously wounded. Realizing the urgency of removing the men from the vicinity of the enemy positions, Specialist Baggs completely disregarding his own safety, volunteered to retrieve the fallen men. He and another man moved toward the positions, drawing heavy enemy fire. With rounds hitting all around him, he reached the wounded lead man and pulled him out of the line of hostile fire, back into the security of the platoon perimeter. Seeing another of his comrades fall from wounds, he again crawled under the heavy enemy fire to administer first aid, and bring the wounded man to a safe position. Specialist Bagg’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.