The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Russell W. Naugle (MCSN: 2336710), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gun Team Leader with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 15 February 1968. During Operation PURSUIT, Corporal Naugle was attached to the point squad of a company-size patrol as it moved down a narrow trail in dense jungle. Suddenly, intense enemy automatic weapons fire erupted from both sides of the trail, instantly killing two Marines and seriously wounding another who fell unable to move fro his exposed position on the trail. Realizing that the casualty would be killed unless he was immediately moved to safety, Corporal Naugle, ignoring his dangerous position, courageously ran down the trial toward the wounded Marines, firing his M-60 Machine Gun from the hip at the concealed enemy emplacements. Despite the heavy volume of fire directed at him, he reached the man and was pulling him to safety when he was himself painfully wounded in the leg. Ignoring his own wound, Corporal Naugle, exhibiting great physical stamina, simultaneously fired his weapon at the enemy and continued to move his companion to safety. Although seriously wounded three more times by the intense enemy fire as he continued his rescue mission, he succeeded in reaching a sheltered position. Refusing medical aid for himself until the other man had been treated, he subsequently succumbed to the severity of his injuries. Corporal Naugle’s unwavering devotion to duty at great personal sacrifice undoubtedly saved the life of a fellow Marine and inspired all those who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.