The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William T. Ward (MCSN: 460285), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of a Surveying Party of the Eighteenth Marines (Engineer), SECOND Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands on 20 July and 11 July 1944. When hostile forces attempted to ambush his group on 20 June, Private First Class Ward immediately proceeded to cover the flank of the party and, directing his gun fire against the hostile forces, personally killed three and enabled the other members of his party to take cover. Subsequently subjected to a grenade attack by hostile forces on 11 July, he succeeded in personally killing two of the enemy Japanese and assisted by two other men of his group, captured thirty-nine prisoners including ten military personnel. By his courage and initiative, Private First Class Ward upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.