The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant William V. McLarry (MCSN: 302097), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Weapons Company, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, on 21 November 1943. Risking his life in the face of concentrated enemy gunfire while landing on the well-defended coral reef, Platoon Sergeant McLarry unhesitatingly went to the rescue of a seriously wounded comrade, carried him to safety and rendered first aid. Later on the same day, while still exposed to hostile fire, he crawled across a fireswept area of the Island, stopped the profuse bleeding of a badly wounded Marine and succeeded in carrying him to safety. By his quick thinking, great personal valor and exemplary conduct, Platoon Sergeant McLarry undoubtedly saved two lives, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.