The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William G. Fawcett, Jr. (MCSN: 364702), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of a Demolitions Squad of Company B, First Engineer Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, October 3, 1944. When his Battalion’s progress was halted by heavy enemy machine-gun and small-arms fire, Private First Class Fawcett continued to advance over dangerous terrain, frequently having to hold on with one hand while working with the other to place charges and blast a path around the cliff which impeded our forces. Continuing to work tirelessly for several hours under the enemy fire which inflicted casualties among the members of his team, he completed his mission and resumed his place in the firing line. His cool courage under fire, fortitude and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.