The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant W. B. Riley (AFSN: AF-18421225), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Flight Engineer of a UC-123 aircraft of the 12th Air Commando Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Forces, while conducting aerial defoliation operations in a valley near Tuy Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 July 1967. On that date, while performing duties at the spray console in the number three aircraft and while under intense hostile fire, Sergeant Riley was notified his plane was to serve as a protective shield for the lead aircraft which was in grave distress. Ignoring the protection of his console armor he moved forward to report battle damage and to report on the aircraft position with respect to the ground and the immediate distressed aircraft above. Despite repeated hits through the airplane he remained in his unprotected position for a full ten minutes at great risk to his life to assure success of the protective operation. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Riley has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.