The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain William Malcolm Pettigrew, III (MCSN: 0-74829), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 December 1965. While serving as copilot of an armed helicopter on an escort mission, his aircraft was called upon to rescue a wounded U.S. Army advisor who lay in a rice paddy surrounded by an estimated Viet Cong company. Realizing that the helicopter gunners would be needed to provide covering fire, he unhesitatingly volunteered to leave the aircraft to recover the wounded man fully understanding that he himself might be left in the paddy. As he departed the aircraft, the enemy commenced firing from a village three hundred yards to his left and from a smaller village to hundred yards to his front. Undaunted by the enemy fire, he ran to the wounded Army advisor using what little cover was available. Shielding the wounded officer with his own body, he concluded a hasty examination of his wounds and carried him to the helicopter ignoring his own personal safety in the face of the enemy fire. His inspiring and profoundly courageous action was responsible for saving the life of a wounded Army officer and provided the local popular forces with new courage when they observed his brave act. Until this moment, no attempt had been made by the local forces to aid in any way. His uncommon heroic action with no thought of the consequences to himself were an inspiration to all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.