The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William M. Oesterreicher (MCSN: 366795), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of a Tank Crew of Company B, Fourth Tank Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 17 June 1944. Courageous and resourceful, Private First Class Oesterreicher participated in a tank assault upon three enemy dual-purpose gun emplacements, and with great skill and determination, assisted in destroying two of the positions and in crippling the other. Although his tank received several hits, he remained at his post and blazed away at the enemy until the equipment in his tank’s turret caught fire and he was ordered by his tank commander to abandon the vehicle. Under hostile rifle fire, he fought back at the enemy with sidearms throughout the dangerous five hundred yard trip to our lines. His perseverance, gallant fighting spirit and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Oesterreicher and the United States Naval Service.