The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fifth Class William J. Adams (ASN: RA-1572426), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Specialist Fifth Class Adams distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 January 1968 while serving with Advisory Team 52, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. On that date, while returning from an operation, the vehicle Specialist Adams was riding in was ambushed by a numerically superior, well equipped Viet Cong force. Reacting immediately, Specialist Adams radioed an alert of the ambush to other friendly elements in the vicinity to include an O-1 observation aircraft. Although outnumbered and with the enemy closing in from all sides, Specialist Adams valiantly began to return fire with his weapon. He remained in his untenable position, beating back enemy thrusts until he fell mortally wounded. As a direct result of his radio transmissions and self-sacrificing actions in holding off the enemy, an observation aircraft was able to forewarn a much larger friendly force that was moving into the ambush zone, thus preventing a large scale disaster. Specialist Fifth Class Adams’ conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.