The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain William R. Wildprett (MCSN: 0-71702), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Operations Officer with Command Group Alpha, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 September 1967 while deployed in an area southwest of Con Thien, Captain Wildprett’s battalion came under a heavy rocket attack and mortar, artillery and small arms fire from an estimated regimental size North Vietnamese Army force. In the initial attack, he fearlessly exposed himself to incoming rockets and mortar fire in an attempt to pinpoint the enemy positions and direct countermortar fire. During the ensuing fire fight, Captain Wildprett repeatedly exposed himself to intense fire as he moved from one position to another, assessing the situation and organizing the defensive perimeter around the command post. His accurate data concerning enemy positions and movements greatly aided the battalion commander in his conduct of the battle. When the enemy threatened to penetrate the perimeter forward of the command post, Captain Wildprett, although wounded, quickly organized a small reaction force and advanced to defend the perimeter. Under his skillful direction, the small group successfully repulsed an enemy platoon which had moved to within thirty meters of the command post. Even though his wound was extremely painful and required medical treatment, Captain Wildprett steadfastly remained at the front lines throughout the night, directing fire and coordinating units as they were moved into the most critical areas. His fortitude and unswerving determination inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving numerous Marine lives. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain Wildprett upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.