The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William Charles McCord (MCSN: 2240989), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 August 1968, during a search and destroy operation in the vicinity of Hill 310 in Quang Nam Province, Corporal McCord’s company came under intense automatic weapons and anti-tank rocket fire from a well entrenched North Vietnamese Army force and sustained numerous casualties. After a fierce fire fight, the company prepared to withdraw to more advantageous positions in order to utilize supporting arms and evacuated all casualties except for a Marine who had been killed within a few feet of the enemy emplacements. Without hesitation, Corporal McCord volunteered to recover the body of his fallen comrade and commenced leading two men up the fire-swept hill. Although one of his men was killed instantly, Corporal McCord fearlessly advanced to the top of the hill and, despite enemy fire and hand grenades impacting all around him, resolutely attempted to free the casualty from a clump of dense foliage. Realizing that he could not extract the dead Marine, he seized the man’s rifle and maneuvered back down the slope of the hill to direct the withdrawal of his squad. Disregarding his own safety, he boldly stood erect holding a rifle in each hand and delivered a heavy volume of fire against enemy positions, killing two North Vietnamese soldiers and enabling his men to reach covered positions. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Corporal McCord inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.