The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major William Parsons Eshelman (MCSN: 0-77473), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against the Communist insurgent forces in the city of Saigon, Republic of Vietnam, from 31 January 1968 to 2 February 1968. Major Eshelman participated as an advisor to the Fourth Vietnamese Marine Corps Battalion in clearing certain areas of Saigon of North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces which had viciously attacked the capital city. At 1430, 31 January 1968, the Fourth Battalion assaulted an Armor Compound that had been overrun by a North Vietnamese Army Battalion. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Major Eshelman joined lead assault elements of the Battalion, coordinated all support and assisted in dislodging the enemy from their excellent defensive positions by leading the Vietnamese Marines in a bold attack which inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy and forced them to fall back. At nightfall, the Vietnamese Marines were forced to withdraw because of near exhaustion of ammunition. The Viet Cong took advantage of this opportunity to re-occupy the Armor Compound during the night. The following afternoon, Major Eshelman skillfully directed aerial rocket and artillery fire which destroyed the enemy’s key strong points. The Fourth Battalion then again assaulted the Armor Compound and after four hours of heavy fighting, the tenacious North Vietnamese Army forces reluctantly yielded, leaving many dead behind. At 0300 on the following morning, a North Vietnamese Army Battalion launched a sudden attack against the Marine units. The enemy bombarded the Command Group with a hail of mortar, rocket and automatic weapons fire, inflicting many casualties upon the friendly forces. Major Eshelman was wounded by the enemy fire but despite the seriousness of his painful wounds, continued to perform his duties. He accurately directed and adjusted aerial flareships and rocket firing helicopters to within 30 meters of the Fourth Battalion positions. Consistently displaying a keen awareness of the tactical situation, Major Eshelman was directly instrumental in halting the enemy’s attack. After the gunships had departed to refuel and rearm, the Viet Cong mounted a savage offensive and it soon became evident that the forward friendly positions could not be held. Acting upon Major Eshelman’s advice the Vietnamese Marines withdrew from their forward positions and organized a tight defensive perimeter. This consolidation enabled the gunships, which soon returned to the battle, to conduct devastating strikes against the enemy forces. Throughout the fierce battle which continued to rage until dawn and undeterred by the worsening condition of his wounds, Major Eshelman continued in his duties of directing and adjusting the fire of tactical aircraft. At 0830, on 2 February, tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers were brought in to provide urgently required additional firepower. Once again, the Fourth Battalion took the initiative and assaulted the weakened enemy positions. This time only sporadic enemy resistance was met and the Viet Cong were defeated. Major Eshelman’s indomitable spirit, courage under fire, and outstanding professionalism were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.