The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant William F. Hyde, Jr. (MCSN: 348163), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company B, First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands on 21 November 1943. With his squad pinned down by shattering perilous advance along the south beach of Betio Island, Sergeant Hyde fearlessly exposed himself to the intense barrage to wipe out the emplacement and boldly advancing across a twenty-yard, fire swept area, completely destroyed the pill box with well-placed hand grenades. When four of the Japanese penetrated his company’s lines during the night and attempted to set up a machine gun in the entrance of a position commanding the 60-mm. mortar and machine guns, he unhesitatingly proceeded to a shell hole directly in front of the enemy to hurl his grenades, annihilating two and forcing the others to withdraw from their pint of vantage. By his daring initiative, dauntless perseverance and cool courage despite great personal risk, Sergeant Hyde contributed materially to the success of our forces in capturing this vital hostile stronghold, and his zealous devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.