The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) William N. Hill (ASN: 0-1175159), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 9 June 1944, near ****, France. When the infantry unit which his battalion was supporting was counterattacked by the enemy and observation of their fire was unobtainable, First Lieutenant Hill voluntarily moved from the rear to a position in advance of the front lines. His radio failed to function, so he returned to his artillery position with the necessary fire data, and again went forward to observe and adjust fire. He repeated these trips under all sorts of hostile fir and did his work so efficiently that several of the enemy guns were knocked out and the infantry was thereby enabled to overrun the enemy positions. Throughout the engagement, First Lieutenant Hill displayed initiative, determination and high courage in the performance of a task beyond the call of duty in the high traditions of the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.