The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant William C. Foote (MCSN: 317604), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Leader of Company D, Second Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 9 March 1945. When the advance of his platoon was halted by a blockhouse and mutually supporting pillboxes protected by intense hostile rifle and mortar fire, Sergeant Foote advanced ahead of the lines and standing in full view of the Japanese, directed the attack of two tanks against the heavily fortified positions until a number of the enemy were annihilated and many more routed from the strong point. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Foote and the United States Naval Service.