The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert P. Maldonado (MCSN: 2270235), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with the First Platoon, Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 30 January 1967, during Operation DESOTO, Private First Class Maldonado’s Company was conducting a search and clear operation near Hai Mon (1) in Quang Ngai Province. As the lead elements of his platoon maneuvered against a fortified Viet Cong hamlet, heavy enemy automatic weapons fire pinned down the Marines in an exposed rice paddy, killing two Marines and seriously wounding three others. Private First Class Maldonado left his position of relative safety and with complete disregard for his own safety moved across 100 meters of open rice paddy to the aid of the beleaguered Marines. Armed with a .45 caliber pistol, he led a small group of volunteers into the rice paddy to recover the dead and wounded Marines. Discovering that one Marine was still missing, he unhesitatingly volunteered to accompany a search party back to the recent battle site. After locating the Marine’s body, Private First Class Maldonado quietly returned to his waiting companions and with their assistance recovered the Marine’s body. His determination and aggressive fighting spirit were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his Unit’s mission. By his uncommon courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Private First Class Maldonado reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.