The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William L. Jefferies (MCSN: 520205), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Loader for a Rocket Launcher Team of Company A, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 17 June 1944. During a night Japanese tank and infantry attack, Private First Class Jefferies braved intense hostile fire to secure ammunition for his team which put four enemy tanks out of action during the engagement. When a Japanese officer rushed the team with drawn saber, he promptly closed with the officer, knocked him down and killed him with his carbine, thereby enabling his team to carry out its mission and contributing materially to the repulse of the enemy attack. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Jefferies and the United States Naval Service.