The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant William A. Keightly (ASN: 33036372), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 17 March 1945, in the vicinity of Ensheim, Germany. Sergeant Keightly was given the difficult task of leading his squad against a strongly fortified pillbox which had been retarding the advance of Company E. During its advance, the squad was pinned down by intense enemy machine gun fire. Sergeant Keightly, quickly realizing that his entire squad would soon be wiped out by the enemy fire, moved to an exposed position and with his M-1 rifle, neutralized the pillbox, allowing his squad to withdraw. Sergeant Keightly was mortally wounded during this action. His gallant sacrifice and courageous leadership remain as a lasting inspiration to the men he led and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.