SILVER STAR MEDAL to CORPORAL GIFFORD T. FOLEY UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS For service as set forth in the following CITATION: FOR THE
PRESIDENT H. W. BUSE,
JR. LIEUTENANT
GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS COMMANDING
GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting
the
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in
action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company M, Third Battalion,
Third Marines, Third Marine Division in connection with operations against
the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On 24 March 1969, during Operation Dewey Canyon, Corporal Foley’s
platoon was conducting a search and destroy operation in the mountainous
terrain of northwestern Quang Tri Province when the lead element
encountered five North Vietnamese soldiers. Reacting instantly, the point
man opened fire and wounded one of the enemy. As the startled hostile
soldiers retreated through the jungle foliage to a well-fortified cave,
Corporal Foley unhesitatingly led his squad in an aggressive pursuit and,
as the Marines approached the North Vietnamese emplacement, they came under
a heavy volume of enemy fire. After quickly deploying his men into covered
fighting positions, Corporal Foley observed that two wounded members of his
squad had fallen in dangerously exposed locations. Completely disregarding
his own safety, he dashed forward to recover his comrades, but was driven
back by the intense hostile fire. Resolutely continuing his determined
efforts, he was seriously injured during a second futile attempt. Ignoring
his painful injuries, he again crossed the fire-swept area and successfully
evacuated the casualties to a relatively safe area. After receiving fire as he attempted to
persuade the North Vietnamese to surrender, Corporal Foley threw a smoke
grenade into the hostile emplacement, disorganizing the occupants and
enabling him to position his men around the entrance of the cave. Boldly
exposing himself to possible fire, he then approached the fortification and
fearlessly hurled hand grenades inside, resulting in three North Vietnamese
soldiers killed and the seizure of their weapons. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to
duty in the face of grave personal danger, Corporal Foley was instrumental
in saving the lives of two fellow Marines and upheld the highest traditions
of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
