The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class William T. Kay (MCSN: 875591), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Demolitions Man serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Ninth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Group, on 22 June 1944. When his company was pinned down by intense fire from a well-emplaced enemy machine gun during its advance against an objective, Private First Class Kay unhesitatingly prepared a demolitions charge and, ordering four comrades to assume advanced positions to cover him, crawled within twelve feet of the Japanese gun position. Although mortally wounded in the ensuing explosion, he succeeded in destroying the emplacement and thereby enabled his company to advance. Private First Class Kay’s heroic fighting spirit and valiant disregard for personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.