The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the

Silver Star Medal to 

Lance Corporal Herbert Casey Sparks

United States Marine Corps

For service as set forth in the following

 CITATION:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Battery F, Second Battalion, Twelfth Marines, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 9 December 1965. While acting as an Artillery Scout Observer attached to Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Lance Corporal Sparks repeatedly distinguished himself by his heroism. Operating in an area controlled by insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in Quang Tin Province, Company L was suddenly subjected to heavy enemy small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire from an estimated Viet Cong battalion. During the initial stage of the fire fight, several members of the Company were wounded and were in an exposed position in a rice paddy. Upon observing this, and fully aware of the necessity for immediately evacuating these men, Lance Corporal Sparks unhesitatingly left his covered position and, calmly disregarding intense enemy fire directed at him, negotiated a distance of 150 meters to rescue his wounded comrades. Courageously disregarding his personal safety he repeated this trip several times, while always under fire. As a result of his exceptional acts and devotion to his fellow man, Lance Corporal Sparks undoubtedly saved the lives and reduced the suffering of several wounded Marines. By his courageous and selfless actions in the face of great personal risk, Lance Corporal Sparks upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."