The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant William R. Ford (MCSN: 320648), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company A, First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 11 May 1945. When his tank was hit and disabled by a hostile antitank gun while advancing up a railroad cut that served as the only forward tank route in the sector, Platoon Sergeant Ford immediately realized that the crippled vehicle was blocking the only route by which tanks could advance and, dismounting in the face of heavy enemy artillery, mortar and small-arms fire, began supervising the repair of his tank. Suffering from concussion and shock when a large mortar shell struck the vehicle and seriously wounded the remaining members of the crew before he could complete the repairs, he made his way to an aid station to obtain stretcher-bearers and, after directing the evacuation of his wounded comrades, returned to the tank to make temporary repairs and to drive it clear of the rail road cut. By his heroism, coolness and determination during this action, Platoon Sergeant Ford upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.