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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) William Bertram Kimball, Jr. (ASN: 0-5341924), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 6 May 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Second Lieutenant Kimball distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as a Platoon Leader of Company A, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, on a combat operation. On that date, he was leading his men in an attack against enemy bunker positions when they suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from an enemy force of undetermined size. Disregarding his own safety, Lieutenant Kimball courageously charged an enemy bunker, killing five enemy soldiers. He then proceeded to another position when he became wounded in the right arm. Disregarding his painful wound, he continued his personal assault on the enemy positions. When the hostile fire increased in volume, Lieutenant Kimball ordered his men to pull back and regroup for a counterattack. While his men were maneuvering back, he courageously remained in an exposed position, placing accurate devastating fire on the enemy to cover his men’s withdrawal. While performing this unselfish act, Lieutenant Kimball was mortally wounded. Second Lieutenant Kimball’s unquestionable valor while in close comb at with a numerically superior enemy force and unselfish concern for his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.