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 Leroy Sanders (ASN: RA-16888517), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 615th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Group, 18th Military Police Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Sanders distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 May 1967 while serving as machine gunner during a Viet Cong ambush between Thu Duc and Long Binh. While serving as a highway security force, Private Sanders’ patrol was ambushed at night with grenade, rifle, and machine gun fire. One machine gun was destroyed, three men were wounded, and the patrol was in danger of being pinned down in exposed positions. Shouting to his comrades to take cover, Private Sanders exposed himself beyond the armor plating of his vehicle, turned his weapon towards the point of most intense fire, and began firing short bursts to suppress the Viet Cong weapons. This enabled his fellow patrol members to withdraw from danger. Heedless of his own safety, Private Sanders silhouetted himself in the light of tracer rounds and continued to cover for his comrades until he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. His courageous actions denied success to the Viet Cong attack and saved the lives of the five men with him. Private First Class Saunders’ gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.