The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private William M. Hennessy (ASN: 20900718), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 194th Tank Battalion, in action near Barrio Piis, Tayabas, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 25 December 1941. When a half-track, of which he was one of the crew, was ambushed and subjected to the intense fire of three Japanese machine guns at point-blank range, Private Hennessy assisted heroically in repelling the attack, thus ensuring the maintenance of contact between elements of two Philippine Divisions. Private Hennessy’s conduct reflects great credit upon himself and the combat soldiers with whom he served.