The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant William Wayne Riggs (MCSN: 0-103000), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 November 1966, during Operation MEADE RIVER, First Lieutenant Riggs’ platoon was helilifted into a section of Quang Nam Province to participate in a company-size assault against hostile forces in that area. Immediately upon disembarking the Marines came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army unit. Rapidly assessing the situation, First Lieutenant Riggs deployed his men into effective fighting positions in an attempt to secure the landing zone and directed their suppressive fire upon the enemy emplacements. As additional aircraft arrived over the area to insert the remainder of his company, one of the helicopters crashed, killing all of the occupants, including the company commander. Unhesitatingly assuming command of the unit, First Lieutenant Riggs quickly consolidated his company’s position and disregarding his own safety, maneuvered about the hazardous terrain as he directed the fire of his men and adjusted supporting arms fire upon the North Vietnamese force, enabling his company to rout the enemy and establish a cordon. On the following day, a patrol from the company was pinned down by intense enemy fire. Reacting instantly, First Lieutenant Riggs boldly led a group of Marines to the beleaguered unit’s location where he directed covering fire from machine guns and mortars which permitted the patrol to withdraw to the company lines. After skillfully adjusting supporting artillery fire on the North Vietnamese positions, he fearlessly led a reaction force into the area and undaunted by a heavy volume of mortar and automatic weapons fire, initiated an aggressive assault upon the hostile soldiers which routed the enemy from their well-fortified emplacements in a tree line. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the North Vietnamese Army unit sustaining numerous casualties. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, First Lieutenant Riggs upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.