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 the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class William Michael Saunders (ASN: RA-15928151), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Battery B, 1st Howitzer Battalion, 321st Artillery, 101st Air Cavalry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 21 March 1968. Private First Class Saunders distinguished himself during an attack on his battery near Hue, Republic of Vietnam. They were attacked by a numerically superior force of North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Completely disregarding his personal safety, Private First Class Saunders ran from his bunker to the guns while enemy mortar rounds and rocket propelled grenades were landing all around him. While he was preparing the ammunition for the howitzer, he realized that a member of his battery was helplessly pinned down by the enemy fire. Private First Class Saunders courageously charged through the bullet swept area to the perimeter where he could provide suppressive fire against the enemy forces. He returned through a hail of enemy bullets to the guns and continued to prepare ammunition to be fired on the oncoming enemy. When Private First Class Saunders saw an enemy grenade rolling into the trench where six members of the battery were working he shouted a warning in order that the men could seek cover, and was fatally wounded by the grenade. Private First Class Saunders’ 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.