The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant William R. Fleming (MCSN: 0-22734), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the Third Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 24 June 1944. Courageous and aggressive in the face of terrific fire from Japanese guns, Second Lieutenant Fleming rendered valuable service during operations on this strategically important enemy stronghold. When the leader and many of the men became casualties, he voluntarily assumed command of a rifle platoon during its assault on a Japanese emplacement and, despite intense hostile mortar and small arms fire, personally inspected the front lines, observed enemy positions and reconnoitered the area in front of his platoon. Expertly maneuvering his troops into positions affording the best fire lanes upon the hostile emplacement, he constantly exposed himself in order to direct the fire of his weapons and, by his determined initiative, enabled his badly depleted platoon to neutralize the emplacement which contained a vastly superior number of troops. His gallant leadership was directly instrumental in effecting the advance of his company and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.