SILVER STAR
MEDAL to SECOND
LIEUTENANT EDWARD FRANCIS MCCOURT UNITED
STATES MARINE CORPS For service as set forth in the following CITATION: FOR THE
PRESIDENT F. C. THARIN MAJOR GENERAL,
U. S. MARINE CORPS ACTING
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 Platoon
Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine
Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of
Vietnam. During a company size
search and clear operation near the Demilitarized Zone on 28 November 1966,
Second Lieutenant McCourt’s
platoon observed three enemy soldiers leaving the area. Quickly assuming the point position of
the company, the platoon had started across a large open rice paddy in
pursuit of the enemy when the unit received intense automatic weapons fire
from an estimated platoon of North Vietnamese Regulars concealed in positions
100 meters from the Marines. With
complete disregard for his own safety, Second Lieutenant McCourt
unhesitatingly dashed to the center of his platoon, under withering enemy
automatic weapons fire, and fired tracers into the enemy positions to mark
the targets for his men. Continuing to expose himself to the heavy enemy
fire, he steadfastly remained in this position to direct and encourage his
platoon. Simultaneously, he observed a Marine fall, wounded, during an
attempt to rescue a casualty from the line of enemy fire. Fearlessly, he
ran to the disabled Marines and , with the help of a companion, succeeded in
pulling both men to safety. His daring and heroic actions undoubtedly
prevented the enemy from overrunning his unit and saved the lives of the
wounded men. By his courage, bold initiative, relentless determination,
aggressive leadership and loyal devotion to duty at great personal risk,
Second Lieutenant McCourt upheld
the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
