The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William J. Haley, Jr. (MCSN: 2563754), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner with Combined Action Platoon 1-3-9, III Marine Amphibious Force in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 July 1970, while moving across an open rice paddy in the Thatch An Dong I area of Quang Ngai Province, a patrol from Combined Action Platoon 1-3-9 was pinned down by intense small arms fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force occupying well-concealed positions in a tree line. Realizing the need for immediate action, Corporal Haley fearlessly rushed to a forward position and, keeping to the top of a rice paddy dike, commenced delivering devastating fire at the enemy soldiers. Although he thus became a target for concentrated hostile fire, he disregarded the rounds impacting around him and steadfastly continued his determined actions to enable his companions to deploy to more effective fighting positions. Although knocked off the dike when an enemy round struck him in the arm, as soon as he had regained his senses and had received first aid, he again disregarded the enemy fire as he resumed his position on top of the dike and continued to fire at the enemy. In an attempt to eliminate the threat created by the cross fire he was creating for the Marines, the enemy dispatched two men to assault his position. Determined to hold, Corporal Haley met the attackers and, even though he was weak from the loss of blood, killed them in close combat and then returned to his position a third time and resumed concentrating fire on the crumbling enemy force until the North Vietnamese Army force, having sustained numerous casualties retreated. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Corporal Haley upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.