The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

 

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

 

FIRST LIEUTENANT RICHARD M. PURNELL

 

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

 

For service as set forth in the following

 

CITATION:

 

                                    For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division during Operation Starlite near Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam on 18 August 1965. As Executive Officer of Company I, First Lieutenant Purnell assumed command when his company commander was killed in action during an attack against heavily fortified insurgent communist (Viet Cong) enemy positions. Displaying calm courage and forceful leadership, he quickly reorganized his company and aggressively continued the attack to seize the assigned objective. Later that day his company was assigned the mission of penetrating deep into enemy territory to relieve a besieged Marine resupply column. During initial enemy contact, approximately twenty-five percent of the company’s remaining personnel became casualties. Pausing only long enough to reorganize and evacuate the casualties, Lieutenant Purnell lead his company forward, driving through enemy positions and inflicting heavy casualties. In the course of the attack, Company I freed over fifty other Marines from an adjacent unit, who were cut off from friendly forces, by the entrenched enemy. With resourcefulness and determination, Lieutenant Purnell continued the search for the resupply column for over six hours before being ordered to return to friendly lines under the cover of darkness. Leading his company, he again passed through enemy lines, bringing his dead and wounded with him. During the withdrawal his company killed six more Viet Cong guerrillas. The personal bravery and decisive actions take by Lieutenant Purnell in the face of great personal danger resulted in a devastating defeat being inflicted upon the enemy. By his courageous actions, inspiring leadership and loyal devotion to duty, Lieutenant Purnell upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

 

 

FOR THE PRESIDENT

 

A. R. KIER

MAJOR GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS

ACTING COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC