The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant William B. Springfield (MCSN: 0-52274), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Artillery Forward Observer of Battery I, Third Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 12 May 1952. When the patrol to which he was attached was attacked by fifty of the enemy employing accurate small arms and grenade fire, inflicting several casualties on the unit while it was engaged in a mission to bring defensive fires on the enemy, Second Lieutenant Springfield immediately brought down previously planned artillery fire to break up the attack. Forced to assume a position in the open due to terrain conditions, he courageously exposed himself to the heavy enemy fire to observe the hostile force and to adjust artillery fire. Although painfully wounded by enemy fire, he continued to direct fire on the opposition, accounting for an estimated twenty-five enemy dead and approximately twenty others wounded. By his professional skill, exceptional leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Springfield served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.