The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Vernon Jesse Ford (MCSN: 2055451), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division on 22 July 1966 in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During search and destroy operations in Quang Tri Province, Lance Corporal Ford’s fire team was in the lead squad of the Company moving up a stream bed when they came under heavy fire from a North Vietnamese Army ambush. Reacting instantly, he led his fire team into the foliage surrounding the stream bed. When it became apparent that additional firepower was needed, a squad-from another platoon was sent to envelop the enemy position, approximately 100 meters down the stream bed. In order to converge on the enemy’s unprotected side, the squad had to maneuver through dense undergrowth, an extremely difficult move because the unit could easily lose their sense of direction and become ineffective. To eliminate this problem, Lance Corporal Ford kept the squad informed as to the position of friendly units by courageously shouting his name every thirty seconds, thus exposing his position to hostile enemy fire. At the same time, he continued to advance his fire team toward the enemy. Although he was wounded by machine gun fire and a Marine only a few feet from him had been killed, he fearlessly continued to use his voice to direct the squad to the enemy position. With complete disregard for his own safety, he refused evacuation and braved increasingly intense enemy fire until the squad had overrun the enemy position and the area was secured. By his fearless determination, initiative and inspiring leadership, Lance Corporal Ford materially contributed to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.