The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Paul Harvey Wallace (MCSN: 0-102365), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 April 1968, First Lieutenant Wallace’s platoon was assigned the mission of assisting a friendly unit which had become heavily engaged with a large North Vietnamese Army force during an assault on Hill 471 near Khe Sanh. Upon reaching the unit, the Marines became pinned down by a heavy volume of hostile automatic weapons fire and hand grenades. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, First Lieutenant Wallace unhesitatingly exposed himself to the intense fire and led an aggressive assault on the hostile positions. Despite being seriously wounded during the ensuing fire fight, he fearlessly maneuvered forward, throwing hand grenades and firing his weapon at the enemy. Steadfastly refusing medical evacuation, he continued his determined efforts until his men had seized the objective and forced the enemy to flee in panic and confusion. His superb leadership and aggressive fighting spirit were an inspiration to all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of this mission. By his courage, bold initiative and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, First Lieutenant Wallace upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.