SILVER STAR MEDAL to STAFF SERGEANT MELVIN P. NEU UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS For service as set forth in the following CITATION: 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
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Platoon
Sergeant with Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine
Division on 2 March 1967, in connection with operations against the enemy
in the Republic of Vietnam. During a search and clear mission near Cam Lo
in Quang Tri Province, Staff Sergeant Neu’s platoon, advancing through a
recently abandoned enemy base camp, came under heavy small arms and
automatic weapons fire from concealed enemy positions. The platoon,
accompanied by an additional squad, immediately returned fire and began
maneuvering toward an opening
In the dense jungle where they could
better observe and fire upon the enemy. During the advance, the platoon
commander and the radioman were both killed by enemy automatic weapons fire
and Staff Sergeant Neu unhesitatingly assumed command. During the ensuing
battle, he continuously disregarded his own safety and exposed himself to
intense hostile fire to reorganize and consolidate his platoon for an
assault on the enemy positions. Simultaneously, he skillfully directed the
expeditious evacuation of all casualties and resupplied his unit with
ammunition in preparation for the counter attack. After a reserve squad
arrived to reinforce his unit and inspired by Staff Sergeant Neu’s
leadership, the Marines aggressively assaulted the North Vietnamese
positions and routed the enemy force without sustaining further casualties.
Throughout the firefight, his sound tactical decisions, aggressive fighting
spirit and uncommon courage contributed materially to his platoon’s
destruction of the enemy force. By his exceptional leadership, military
proficiency, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great
personal risk, Staff Sergeant Neu upheld the highest traditions of the
Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
