The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Billy G. Marshall (MCSN: 655042), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. In the pre-dawn hours of 26 February 1966, an estimated Viet Cong company Launched an attack on a small hill defended in part by Staff Sergeant Marshall’s platoon. The battle commenced with a violent mortar bombardment during which the Platoon Commander was wounded. Staff Sergeant Marshall, who had been serving as Platoon Sergeant, immediately took command. Exposing himself repeatedly, he proceeded from one squad position to another to direct the fire of the platoon. After the initial onslaught, he moved his reserve unit to the portion of the hill under heaviest attack and effectively stemmed the Viet Cong advance. During the four hour engagement, the hill was under almost continuous enemy fire and, after the arrival of a flareship, the entire area was illuminated, making movement on the hill extremely dangerous. Undaunted, Staff Sergeant Marshall continued to encourage his men, ensure that the ammunition was re-distributed and realign his defenses, continually exposing himself to hostile fire without regard for his own safety. The effectiveness of his valiant actions was clearly evident at first light, when the bodies of twenty-three Viet Cong were found on the defensive wire in his sector. By his extraordinary military proficiency, composure in the face of extreme danger and unfaltering dedication to duty throughout, Staff Sergeant Marshall upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.