The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

2ndLt STEPHEN A. MUNSON

United States Marine Corps

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Stephen A. Munson, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company L, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 3 March 1968, Second Lieutenant Munson's company was operating along the Demilitarized Zone between Con Thien and Gio Linh. Shortly after his platoon deployed into forward defensive positions to observe enemy activity, the unit came under intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Pinned down in a bomb crater forward of friendly lines, Second Lieutenant Munson unhesitatingly placed a wounded companion across his shoulders and carried him thirty meters across fire-swept terrain to a covered position. Then, rallying his platoon, he directed a heavy volume of accurate fire against the enemy. In the ensuing fire fight, he repeatedly exposed himself to intense fire to encourage his men, observe the enemy and adjust supporting fires. As he was maneuvering his platoon to more advantageous positions after four hours of fierce fighting, Second Lieutenant Munson was seriously wounded and was subsequently medically evacuated. His heroic actions undoubtedly saved the life of at least one Marine and were instrumental in inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. By his exceptional courage, inspiring leadership and selfless devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Munson contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.