The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Willard C. Hofer (MCSN: 0-22095), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader attached to Company B, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands on 21 July 1944. Landing on the beach in an assault wave of three amphibious tractors, Second Lieutenant Hofer advanced four hundred yards inland before his vehicle was forced to halt. Completely isolated from friendly units when all other tractors in assault waves were held back on the beach by natural obstacles and land mines, he dismounted from the tractor, ordered his men to follow him and, in the face of heavy enemy fire, deployed his small force to hold their ground against a superior enemy force until adjacent units and the remainder of his platoon were able to advance in line with his position. By his courage and inspiring leadership under fire, Second Lieutenant Hofer contributed immeasurably to the success of the critical phase of the operation and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.