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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Chauncey Barott (ASN: 0-64102), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while Commanding the 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, during Operation ATTLEBORO, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 4 November 1966. Approximately fifteen miles east of Tay Ninh, the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, was pinned down by exceedingly heavy fire in a densely wooded area. Lieutenant Colonel Barott’s battalion was flown from Cu Chi to Dau Tieng as a reserve force. The Viet Cong began making successive human wave assaults on the 1st Battalion. The 2d Battalion was committed to attack the flank of the pinned down battalion. Eagerly seizing the mission, Lieutenant Colonel Barott promptly organized his battalion for a helicopter lift into the objective area. Shortly after landing, he led his force into the dense jungle to attack the enemy flank which could be identified by the heavy firing. He was in radio contact with the commander of the beleaguered unit and all coordination had been completed. As he moved through the hot, humid terrain, a Viet Cong machine gun suddenly began firing at a very close range. The heavy vegetation of the jungle prevented prompt location f the gun, but Lieutenant Colonel Barott quickly organized his troops and began moving them around the line of fire. As he moved from man to man giving encouragement, the machine gun began firing again. However, this last fusillade enabled Lieutenant Colonel Barott to spot the exact location of the enemy weapon. He instructed the men on either side of him to load their weapons with fresh magazines and place fire on the Viet Cong gun emplacements. He then rose to lead the assault with the cry, “Let’s go, Wolfhounds.” As he courageously led the charge in the face of insurmountable odds, Lieutenant Colonel Barott was killed by a heavy burst of fire from the machine gun. His unimpeachable valor and fearless leadership roved inspirational to the men of his unit. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Barott, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.