The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Bill P. Cumbaa (MCSN: 0-29212), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifle Platoon Leader of the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 11 May 1945. Ordered to attack a strongly defended and well-fortified enemy position, First Lieutenant Cumbaa led his men in the attack boldly crossing one hundred fifty yards of exposed, level terrain and scaling an almost vertical cliff in the face of heavy Japanese artillery and mortar concentrations and accurate small arms fire which reduced his platoon to less than half strength. Unmindful of his own danger while moving along his platoon front to direct the attack and maintain control of his unit, he completed his mission successfully thereafter supervising the defense of the area and holding the objective until reinforcements arrived despite enemy counter attacks and heavy artillery, mortar and small arms fire. Painfully wounded during this action, First Lieutenant Cumbaa refused to leave the ridge until the last casualty had been evacuated. His daring leadership initiative and devotion to duty under hostile fire reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.