SILVER STAR MEDAL to CAPTAIN WILLIAM D. WESTER UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS For service as set forth in the following CITATION: FOR THE
PRESIDENT JOHN H. CHAFEE Secretary of
the Navy
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting
the
For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding
Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division
in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of
Vietnam. On the evening of 13
September 1969, while moving toward its night objective, Captain Wester’s
company came under heavy fire from an enemy force concealed in
well-fortified bunkers. The initial
burst of fire killed the company executive officer, severely wounded a
platoon commander, and pinned down his platoon. Ignoring the hail of enemy fire, Captain Wester moved forward
to the platoon and quickly assessed the situation. Skillfully maneuvering another platoon
on line with the first, he organized and led an attack on the enemy
position. Disregarding his own
safety, he moved among his men shouting encouragement and directing their
fire on the enemy. As a result of
Captain Wester’s heroic actions, his men rapidly gained fire superiority
and increased momentum in the attack until they captured the
objective. Immediately following
this, the enemy began a steady bombardment of the objective with 82mm
mortar rounds. Although seriously
wounded, Captain Wester continued to direct the movements of his unit and
to keep higher headquarters informed of the situation. Refusing medical attention, he insisted
that the corpsmen go to the aid of the other men in his company and
continued directing his men until the objective was consolidated and the
enemy defeated. By his courage,
aggressive leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great
personal danger, Captain Wester inspired all who observed him upheld the
highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval
Service.
