The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant William H. Hunt (MCSN: 0-106804), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 25 February 1969, Company E was occupying a defensive position at Fire Support Base RUSSELL in Quang Tri Province when the Marines came under a heavy volume of mortar and rocket fire supporting a ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force. Reacting instantly, Second Lieutenant Hunt unhesitatingly left his position of relative safety and moved across the hazardous area to direct his platoon’s suppressive fire upon the hostile unit. Observing that one of his squad leaders had been seriously injured, he maneuvered across fifty meters of fire-swept terrain and, shouting words of encouragement to his men, organized the squad and restored its effectiveness as a fighting force. Disregarding the intense enemy fire, Second Lieutenant Hunt then deployed his platoon to a forward location and was directing the fire of his Marines to enable his company to consolidate its position when he was mortally wounded. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his company’s repulsing the hostile attack. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unfaltering devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Hunt contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.