The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

 

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

 

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROBERT S. VALADEZ

 

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

 

For service as set forth in the following

 

CITATION:

 

           "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 28 May 1968, Company L was conducting a search and destroy operation near the Don Ha Combat Base when the Marines were pinned down by a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force occupying a well-fortified position and sustained several casualties.  Observing repeated attempts to reach a wounded man lying in a dangerously exposed position fail as the rescuers themselves became casualties, Private First Class Valadez, armed only with a pistol, fearlessly moved from his position and boldly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain to the aid of the injured man.  Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near him, he swiftly carried his comrade to a covered area.  Completely disregarding his own safety, he then repeatedly traversed the hazardous terrain and evacuated three mortally wounded Marines to a covered location.  His daring initiative and heroic efforts inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission.  By his courage, sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades and steadfast devotion to duty,

Private First Class Valadez saved the life of a fellow Marine and 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