The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class William Melvin Roberts (MCSN: 1247693), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner of Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 8 July 1953. During the initial assault by a numerically superior hostile force on his unit’s outpost position, Private First Class Roberts skillfully delivered a withering hail of fire on the attackers, inflicting a large number of casualties and thereby forcing the enemy to halt the attack. When the hostile force again assaulted the position, and two machine guns on his left flank failed to fire, he fearlessly moved from his bunker through the trench line toward the disabled weapons. Encountering a hostile soldier who was moving through the friendly trench line in an attempt to silence the machine guns, he quickly overpowered his adversary, continued toward the disabled guns and succeeded in putting them back into action. With the enemy intensifying the attack, he inflicted numerous casualties on the hostile troops with his deadly fire before sustaining critical wounds from an enemy mortar round. Gallantly refusing evacuation, he steadfastly remained at his gun, firing on the enemy until he succumbed to his wounds. By his indomitable fighting spirit, marked fortitude and inspiring courage, Private First Class Roberts contributed greatly to the successful defense of a vital outpost and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.