The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant William T. Holder (MCSN: 0-22773), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company F, second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands from 15 June to 9 July 1944. Although painfully wounded by hostile artillery fire on the first day of the assault, Second Lieutenant Holder steadfastly refused evacuation and courageously led his platoon throughout the remainder of the Saipan Campaign. On one occasion, he personally led one of his squads against a heavily defended wooded draw while his other squads covered the operation with fire. During the ensuing grenade, rifle and bayonet action, he assisted in annihilating seventeen of the enemy. By his aggressive leadership, bravery and devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Holder upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.