The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Dana F. MacCormack (MCSN: 0-97272), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 15 February 1968. Company C was conducting a search and destroy north of the Hill 270 – Hill 320 complex in Happy Valley in Quang Nam Province. As the patrol cautiously maneuvered through the dense jungle terrain, it suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from a North Vietnamese Army ambush force, wounding five Marines and temporarily pinning down the rest of the advance platoon. Acting as Company Commander, Lieutenant MacCormack disregarded his own safety, unhesitatingly moved to the point of contact and deployed the remainder of his men in aggressive resistance that routed the enemy. Reaching the ridgeline, he directed and supervised the clearing of an emergency landing zone, established security around the position, and brought in the injured Marines for medical care. Then, the landing zone came under heavy fire from the sides by an estimated Company of North Vietnamese concealed in spider holes and well-camouflaged bunkers. The enemy fire was for a short time suppressed sufficiently to enable a medical evacuation of two injured Marines. Lieutenant MacCormack, realizing that further evacuation from the area would be impossible, directed one of his platoons to secure another, and subsequently a third, lancing zone, after it became too dangerous for further use. The wounded were taken to the new position and successfully evacuated, while Lieutenant MacCormack maneuvered the balance of his unit in an aggressive engagement with the enemy. Unable to hold the terrain he occupied, he boldly led his men to high ground, where he quickly established a well-integrated defensive perimeter. The following day, while advancing to join other elements of his battalion, a six-man advance enemy force appeared. Skillfully directing a rear guard action that killed two of the enemy, he rapidly maneuvered his men through the mountainous terrain to the valley floor. He skillfully pinpointed the North Vietnamese positions and accurate fire was delivered against them. Lieutenant MacCormack’s outstanding courage, superior leadership and selfless devotion to duty inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.