The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal William D. Merrilees (MCSN: 249634), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Telephone Lineman of the Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, from 15 June to 9 July 1944. Serving voluntarily during this campaign, Corporal Merrilees repeatedly volunteered to lay wire lines through hazardous terrain, to lead anti-sniper patrols around the Battalion Command Post and to guard stretcher-bearers and carrying parties to and from front line companies. In the face of intense enemy artillery and mortar fire on 15 June, he courageously evacuated a wounded man and, on 1 July, laid a wire line to two front line companies after a carrying party failed to get food, water and ammunition through to the companies because of the devastating hostile fire. Despite great danger from both friendly and enemy small-arms fire after dark on 5 July, Corporal Merrilees led an ambulance jeep to a front line company and, earlier the same day, killed a Japanese soldier who had fired upon the ambulance he was leading to the front lines. While installing a telephone at the Battalion Observation Post on 7 July, he observed two enemy Japanese in the vicinity and, seizing his carbine, succeeded in killing both men. By his personal courage, aggressive fighting spirit and devotion to duty throughout, Corporal Merrilees upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.