The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

 

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

 

STAFF SERGEANT DONALD L. PEARCE

 

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

 

For service as set forth in the following

 

CITATION:

 

           "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company K, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17June 1969, during Operation Virginia Ridge, Staff Sergeant Pearce’s platoon was providing security for the battalion command group near Gio Linh in Quang Tri Province when the Marines were attacked by a large hostile force supported by mortar fire.  Reacting instantly, Staff Sergeant Pearce fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain to the threatened southern perimeter, and , armed only with a pistol, fired at the  approaching enemy and directed the fire of his men as the defended the  beleaguered area.  During the firefight, he heard a Marine call for assistance and saw the wounded man crawling toward the friendly lines.  With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Pearce unhesitatingly exposed himself to the hostile fire as he moved to the side of the man who had lost consciousness ten meters from an enemy position.  Observing that the Marine had dropped a live grenade, Staff Sergeant Pearce quickly grabbed it and threw it into the nearby hostile position, then dragged the casualty through a heavy volume of fire back into the perimeter where he was treated by a Corpsman.  Returning to his men, Staff Sergeant Pearce continued directing their action against the enemy until he was wounded by fragments from a hostile grenade.  His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were responsible for saving the life of an injured Marine.  By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Staff Sergeant Pearce upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

 

FOR THE PRESIDENT

 

 

H. W. BUSE, JR

LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS

COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC