The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander William Jefferson Marshall (NSN: 0-59713), United States Navy, for meritorious performance of duty while in active command of Destroyer Fire Support Group (eight United States Destroyers, three British) during the assault on the coast of France on 6 and 7 June 1944. Commander Marshall directed the operations of these destroyers against enemy gun positions, troops, vehicles and selected targets, so effectively as to materially assist the Army to gain a foothold. In particular, the destroyers’ artillery bombarded mortars and machine gun nests, which until silenced pinned our troops to the beaches. This duty was performed under sustained enemy gun fire. The initiative and professional skill displayed by Commander Marshall on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.