The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain William John Rainalter (MCSN: 0-20896), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sariwon, Korea, on 22 April 1951. While on a routine reconnaissance mission, Captain Rainalter participated in a daring attack against an enemy airfield which was known to have strong anti-aircraft gun installations. Discovering several of these installations, he went in to strike repeatedly, despite the intense fire he encountered from each of the enemy positions. Boldly launching his attacks, he personally destroyed two of the hostile batteries, continuing in the assault until his supply of bombs and rockets had been exhausted. Still undaunted, he returned and executed numerous low strafing runs on the remainder of the enemy anti-aircraft positions, positively marking and identifying them for the rest of his flight so that other hostile batteries could be destroyed. While silencing a third emplacement on one of the strafing runs, his plane was hit, burst into flames and crashed into the target. By his superb courage, indomitable fighting spirit and staunch devotion to duty in the face of intense and accurate hostile anti-aircraft fire, Captain Rainalter contributed directly to the infliction of heavy damage on the enemy, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.