The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Corporal William Patrick Taliaferro (aka: Tallaferno) (MCSN: 2297283), United States Marine Corps, for heroic achievement in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division. On 6 February 1968, Corporal Taliaferro’s company became engaged with a large North Vietnamese Army force in Quang Nam Province and sustained several casualties. Alertly observing a wounded Marine lying within a few feet of an enemy position, Corporal Taliaferro left his covered position and began maneuvering toward the casualty. As he approached to within ten meters of the injured man, he was wounded and dragged into a hostile emplacement by two North Vietnamese soldiers. A few days later, exhibiting bold initiative and resolute determination, he escaped from the enemy forces and returned to his unit. Corporal Taliaferro’s courage, exceptional resourcefulness and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Corporal Taliaferro is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)