SILVER STAR MEDAL to CORPORAL RONALD C. DARDEN UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS For service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving
with Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in
connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On
7 September 1967, elements of Company L were conducting a clearing
operation on Hill 70, a low ridge one mile north of Ca Lu in Quang Tri
Province when it suddenly came under intense mortar and small arms fire from
an entrenched North Vietnamese Army force, killing one Marine and wounding
three others. Observing one of the fallen men lying in the open exposed to
hostile fire and unable to defend himself due to the malfunction of his
rifle, Corporal Darden, then a Lance Corporal, completely disregarded his
own safety as he unhesitatingly ran through the heavy volume of enemy fire
to the side of the injured Marines. Immediately confronted with a North
Vietnamese soldier aiming a rifle at him from a spider hole only five feet
away, he assaulted the enemy and while attempting to seize his weapon, was
wounded in the side when the rifle discharged. Quickly rolling out of the
way, he threw a grenade into the spider hole. Simultaneously, the North
Vietnamese soldier threw a grenade at Corporal Darden. Concerned only for
the welfare of his fellow Marines, he completely ignored his own pain and
the danger to his life as he shouldered the wounded man and started for his
lines. The enemy soldier was killed by Corporal Darden’s grenade, but the
hostile grenade exploded, felling and seriously wounding Corporal Darden.
Undaunted by the continuing heavy volume of North Vietnamese fire and the
seriousness of his own injuries, he courageously pulled the wounded Marines
to the safety of the friendly perimeter before collapsing form exhaustion
and the intense pain of his injuries. Due largely to his prompt and
fearless actions, he inspired his platoon to aggressive actions that
completely routed the North Vietnamese. By his bold initiative, courage and
selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Corporal Darden was
undoubtedly instrumental in saving the life of a fellow Marine and upheld
the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval
Service. 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
