The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William J. Gunn (MCSN: 373087), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Intelligence Corporal serving with a company of the Second Battalion, Seventy Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, December 27, 1943. When devastating hostile fire was holding up supply of ammunition to a heavy machine-gun section and imperiling our defensive positions against repeated, determined enemy attacks, Corporal Gunn promptly assumed command of the ammunition carrying party and, despite a driving rain, courageously led them through the extremely dense enemy-infested jungle. Although severely wounded during the advance, he urged and inspired his man to continue the dangerous task until the vitally needed supplies were delivered to our guns. By his daring initiative, brilliant leadership and selfless devotion to duty, Corporal Gunn enabled our forces to repulse the bitter Japanese attacks. His heroic conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.