The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Billy L. Underwood (MCSN: 2340074), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 February 1969, Private First Class Underwood’s platoon was assigned to assist a squad of an adjacent platoon which was heavily engaged with a well-entrenched, battalion-sized North Vietnamese Army unit in the Hieu Dic District of Quang Nam Province. As the reaction force entered an open rice paddy and was moving toward the hostile positions, the Marines came under intense automatic weapons fire from enemy soldiers concealed in high grass. With complete disregard for his own safety, Private First Class Underwood unhesitatingly led his fire team in an aggressive assault upon the hostile positions and boldly engaged tow North Vietnamese in hand-to-hand combat, killing them. Continuing his determined efforts, he then participated in an attack upon a tree line, in which the enemy command post was entrenched, and resolutely led his men forward against the hostile force. When the platoon was temporarily pinned down by a heavy volume of enemy fire, Private First Class Underwood was unable to maneuver his team. Fearlessly moving alone to a more advantageous position from which to return fire upon the hostile force, he was mortally wounded by enemy sniper fire. His heroic and timely action inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit’s accounting for thirty-six hostile soldiers killed. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Private First Class Underwood upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.