The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Wyatt Waldron (Mendes), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Section Leader, Combined Anti-Armor Platoon 1, Weapons Company, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, SECOND Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from 12 January to 31 July 2005. On 19 June 2005, outside Fallujah, Iraq, corporal Waldron’s section was attacked by a 50-man coordinated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and small arms fire ambush. He led his section into the oncoming machine gun fire, gained fire superiority, and ordered a dismounted attack on the flank of the enemy position. Corporal Waldron dismounted his vehicle and personally destroyed two enemy machine gun positions, killing three insurgents. He then killed two more armed insurgents attempting to reinforce an adjoining enemy position. Corporal Waldron’s attack broke the enemy’s resistance and they began to displace. He then re-mounted his vehicle and led his section in the pursuit of the fleeing enemy. During the pursuit, his platoon killed an additional sixteen insurgents, captured six, and found another six unexploded IEDs at the ambush site. Due to Corporal Waldron’s heroism under enemy fire, his unit was able to seize the initiative and defeat a numerically superior enemy force without friendly casualties. Corporal Waldron’s zealous initiative, courageous actions, and exceptional dedication to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.