The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Douglas D. Stone (NSN: B-620093), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman with Company I, Third Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 February 1969, Company I was participating in Operation Taylor Common southwest of DaNang, when the lead platoon came under a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force occupying well-concealed emplacements and sustained three casualties. Reacting instantly, Petty Officer Stone unhesitatingly left his position of relative safety and fearlessly rushed across the fire-swept terrain to the wounded Marines. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near him, he remained in his dangerously exposed location as he treated the injured men and returned fire upon the enemy to protect his patients. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and undoubtedly saved the lives of the three Marines. By his courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Petty Officer Stone upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.