The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain William Clifford Stensland (MCSN: 0-79569), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 15 December 1967, when an adjacent company became heavily engaged with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force, Captain Stensland quickly moved his company to assist the beleaguered unit. Arriving in the area, he found that the Marines had sustained several casualties and were temporarily pinned down by intense small arms and mortar fire from a hostile force entrenched in well camouflaged bunkers. Immediately assessing the situation, Captain Stensland displayed decisive leadership, composure and tactical ability as he unhesitatingly deployed his troops to attack the enemy positions. When the extremely heavy volume of hostile fire temporarily halted his unit’s progress, he quickly moved to the point elements where he could more advantageously observe and direct his company’s action. Completely disregarding his own safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to North Vietnamese fire as he skillfully and aggressively maneuvered his men forward and directed their fire. Wounded in both legs by an exploding enemy mortar round, Captain Stensland refused medical attention and courageously continued to advance with his men. When hostile small arms fire wounded him for the second time, he ignored his painful injuries and steadfastly refused medical attention or evacuation in order to maintain the momentum of the attack which subsequently routed the enemy force. Only after he was assured that all the casualties had been evacuated and the beleaguered company relieved did he allow himself to be treated and medically evacuated. Due largely to his bold initiative and fearless action, he contributed materially to the defeat of the hostile force, resulting in thirty-six enemy confirmed killed and 125 probable killed. By his superior leadership, steadfast courage and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain Stensland inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.