SILVER STAR MEDAL to SECOND LIEUTENANT RONALD C. THIEWES UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS For service as set forth in the following CITATION: FOR THE
PRESIDENT H. W. BUSE,
JR. 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 a Platoon
Commander with Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine
Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of
Vietnam. On 26
January1969, Company L was participating in Operation Taylor common near An
Hoa in Quang Nam Province when the Marines came under intense automatic
weapons fire from a well-concealed enemy force and several men were
wounded. Rapidly assessing the crucial situation, Second Lieutenant Thiewes
boldly ignored the enemy rounds impacting near him as he swiftly deployed
his men and directed their fire upon the hostile positions. Alertly
observing four injured Marines lying in an area dangerously exposed to
enemy fire, he fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain to the
wounded men, skillfully rendered emergency first aid to his comrades, and
assisted them to positions of relative safety. Although sustaining a
painful injury, Second Lieutenant Thiewes resolutely remained with the
casualties and delivered effective suppressive fire upon the enemy
soldiers. When the hostile force was defeated, he steadfastly refused medical
aid until the other seriously wounded men had been treated. His daring
initiative and gallant efforts inspired all who served with him and were
instrumental in saving the lives of four Marines. By his courage, superb
leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal
danger, Second Lieutenant Thiewes upheld the highest traditions of the
Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
