The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant William Philip Ungerer (MCSN: 2103251), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 6 February 1968, a combined action platoon was conducting a patrol near the village of La Chau (2) in Quang Nam Province when it suddenly came under heavy mortar, small arms and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force, wounding three Marines and temporarily pinning down the platoon. Directed to lead a reaction force of twenty-three men, Sergeant Ungerer displayed exceptional leadership and tactical skill as he moved the relief force to the battle area and skillfully maneuvered them through the enemy positions to entered the beleaguered patrol’s perimeter. He immediately deployed his men to effective fighting positions within the perimeter and directed his Corpsman to attend to the wounded. Undaunted by the danger to his own life, he repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire as he moved among his men to encourage them and ensure maximum fire was being delivered against the enemy. To expedite the extraction of the casualties, he established a base of fire and directed a heavy volume of covering fire that enabled the wounded to be safely evacuated. Due largely to his aggressive leadership, he was instrumental in routing the North Vietnamese, accounting for eighteen enemy confirmed killed while suffering no casualties among his reaction force. Later that same day, during an attack against a fortified North Vietnamese Army position, Sergeant Ungerer exhibited outstanding courage and aggressive fighting spirit as he skillfully advanced a squad by fire and maneuver across 300 meters of open rice paddy. When his unit was temporarily pinned down by the extremely heavy volume of hostile mortar, rocket, small arms and automatic weapons fire, he exhibited exceptional composure, sound judgment and inspiring leadership as he fearlessly directed his men to aggressive action that enabled them to regain the momentum of the attack. Observing a North Vietnamese Army unit preparing to counterattack, Sergeant Ungerer immediately requested supporting artillery fire that was accurately adjusted to rout and inflict heavy casualties on the hostile force. By his dynamic leadership, steadfast courage and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Sergeant Ungerer inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.