The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Willard C. Mackey, Jr. (MCSN: 0-41953), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader in Company C, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, on 9 May 1945. Leading his men in an attack against a series of enemy strong points when intense flanking and frontal fire caused heavy casualties and pinned down his unit, Second Lieutenant Mackey ran from squad to squad, reorganizing and lending words of encouragement to his men. Alone and unaided, he moved forward to reconnoiter despite the heavy sire which was falling in the area. After finding a more desirable route of approach, he returned to his men and personally led them in a final successful assault before he was wounded. By his outstanding courage, leadership and inspiring devotion o duty, Second Lieutenant Mackey upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.