The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Richard Joseph Bartolotti (MCSN: 2365941), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 7 February 1968, Lance Corporal Bartolotti’s unit was the lead element of a two-platoon reaction force assigned to support a Marine patrol besieged by an estimated company of North Vietnamese Army Regulars near the village of Don Phu (3) in Quang Nam Province. Supported by four amphibian vehicles, his unit reached a position approximately seventy-five meters from the well-entrenched enemy when it came under intense rocket, mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire. In the initial burst of fire, his unit sustained several casualties, including the squad leader. After quickly administering medical aid to his wounded companion, Lance Corporal Bartolotti unhesitatingly assumed command of the squad and, displaying superb professional skill, directed them in an aggressive assault across the fire-swept terrain to within five meters of the enemy trenches. Observing another wounded Marine lying in an exposed areas approximately twenty meters away, he fearlessly left the comparative safety of his position and, disregarding the heavy volume of hostile fire, advanced across the hazardous area to the side of the injured man and carried him to a protected position. Returning to his squad, he realized the importance of maintaining the momentum of his unit’s advance and courageously led his men into the enemy emplacements. Personally killing two North Vietnamese soldiers en route, he then killed the remaining crew member at the hostile mortar position and captured the weapon, ammunition and associated equipment. His outstanding leadership inspired all who observed him and was instrumental in enabling his unit to overrun the enemy emplacements, killing thirty-two North Vietnamese Army soldiers and capturing numerous weapons. By his dauntless courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme peril, Lance Corporal Bartolotti upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.