The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William A. Lister (MCSN: 613096), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman of Company G, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 26 February 1951. When the unit was subjected to devastating enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire from concealed positions on commanding ground while he was moving as lead man with the platoon on a patrol into enemy territory, Private First Class Lister continued forward through the heavy enemy fire and climbed over precipitous terrain to gain a position from which he could bring fire to bear upon the enemy. Although painfully wounded in the course of the action, he quickly treated his own wound and continued forward until ordered to withdraw, whereupon he carried a wounded comrade back through the withering enemy fire to the safety of friendly lines. By his outstanding courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty, Private First Class Lister served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.