The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant William C. Stiles (MCSN: 0-21562), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifle Platoon Leader, attached to Company I, Third Battalion, Eighth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Mariana Islands, 4 August 1944. Quick to act when his platoon was suddenly trapped in difficult terrain by heavy fire from enemy machine guns located in a cave, Second Lieutenant Stiles rallied and organized his remaining men and, securing demolitions, cautiously led the platoon up to the cave. After successfully neutralizing the position despite grenades and demolition charges thrown by the Japanese, he braved constant enemy sniper fire to supervise the evacuation of twelve wounded men. His courage and skilled leadership under fire reflect great credit upon Second Lieutenant Stiles and the United States Naval Service.