The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain William Kretzschmar (MCSN: 0-82939), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot of an A-6A aircraft during a mine-laying mission against vital and strategic Doumer (Long Bien) Highway and Railroad Bridge on the night of 27 October 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY THREE (VMA(AW)-533). Although faced with an almost insurmountable task, Captain Kretzschmar flew his aircraft deep into the enemy defensive perimeter. Descending on instruments and flying dangerously low, he safely pierced the enemy’s outer surface-to-air missile rings. As he neared the target areas, Captain Kretzschmar’s aircraft was subjected to intense and accurate barrage fire which completely engulfed his aircraft. Undaunted, he turned his aircraft towards the target and commenced a daring head-on attack directly into the intense enemy tracer fire and airbursts. The nature of the target and his own weapons systems required a precisely oriented run-in path and therefore precluded any evasive action to escape or elude the intense enemy fire. Encountering a vicious crossfire directly in his intended course and with complete disregard for his own safety, he piloted his aircraft directly through the perilous fire and released his mines on target. By his bold initiative, intrepid fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty, Captain Kretzschmar was instrumental in the successful accomplishment of a vital mission thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.