The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant [then Private First Class] William N. Stankowski (MCSN: 2201257), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while assigned as Anti-tank Assault Man, Weapons Platoon, Company I, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), III Marine Amphibious Force, Republic of Vietnam on 30 March 1967. During a pitched battle with a strong North Vietnamese force attempting to overrun the company command post, Gunnery Sergeant Stankowski heroically delivered accurate rocket fire into the advancing enemy force. Severely wounded by an incoming enemy mortar round, he advanced under fire to treat other wounded Marines while continuing to fight the enemy. While dragging wounded Marines to the landing zone from the surrounded position, he was critically wounded a second time. Refusing evacuation, Gunnery Sergeant Stankowski led a small group of Marines back through the withering enemy fire in a valiant attempt to recover their mortally wounded platoon commander. Wounded a third time while engaged in a heavy fire fight to retake the command post position, Gunnery Sergeant Stankowski was finally evacuated. Gunnery Sergeant Stankowski’s courageous actions, exceptional initiative, and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.