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 Private First Class William Walter Bednarz (ASN: 54809573), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Private First Class Bednarz distinguished himself by heroic actions on 16 May 1967 near Ap Rach Gau (2), Republic of Vietnam, while serving as a machine gunner when his company was engaged in a night assault against a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Immediately upon debarking the aircraft, Private Bednarz’s platoon became separated from the rest of the company and came under heavy enemy machine gun and automatic weapons fire from the front and left flank. Private Bednarz demonstrated great personal courage as he assaulted the enemy positions and delivered a continuous and effective volume of fire. At one point, Private Bednarz engaged a sniper who had stopped the movement of the company and had the company commander and his radio operator pinned down in a open field. After killing the enemy sniper, Private Bednarz shifted his fire to an automatic weapon position threatening the company’s left flank. He took up a position on a berm and fired his weapon from the shoulder to place more effective fire on the enemy. While performing this hazardous mission, Private Bednarz was mortally wounded. Private Bednarz acted with great courage and determination in the face of intense enemy fire. His heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.