SILVER STAR MEDAL to LANCE CORPORAL DAVID W. CUTSHALL UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS CITATION: "For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a FOR THE
PRESIDENT V. H. KRULAK LIEUTENANT
GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS COMMANDING
GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting
the
For service as set forth in the following
Machine Gun Team Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Third Marines,
Third Marine Division. On 6 March 1968, during a company-size
operation near Con Thien, Lance Corporal Cutshall's platoon came under
intense enemy automatic weapons, mortar and artillery fire from a well
entrenched battalion of North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Observing
enemy movement through the brush, he marked the area with machine gun
tracer rounds, which enabled an anti-tank assault team to destroy an enemy
bunker with rocket fire. Throughout the five-hour firefight, he
maintained a critical position and directed highly effective machine gun
fire upon the enemy. Ordered to withdraw to a more advantageous position,
he provided covering fire for his companions as they moved to join their
platoon. While preparing to throw a hand grenade, Lance Corporal
CUTSHALL was severely wounded by enemy grenade fragments, which caused him
to drop his grenade. Without regard for his own safety, he immediately
fell upon the activated grenade to shield his companions. Although he
was killed when it exploded, he undoubtedly saved the lives of his three
companions. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative and
selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal CUTSHALL upheld the highest
traditions of the United States Naval Service."
