The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Marshall W. Jespersen (MCSN: 2168889), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Quad Leader with Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 10 September 1967, Company L came under intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire while conducting a search and destroy mission southwest of Con Thien. During the ensuing fire fight, Sergeant Jespersen’s platoon commander and platoon sergeant were mortally wounded. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Sergeant Jespersen immediately assumed command and repeatedly exposed himself to the heavy volume of enemy fire to deploy his men and skillfully direct their return fire. Although he had sustained fragmentation wounds, he ignored his painful injuries and fearlessly moved across the fire-swept terrain from one position to another to maintain fire discipline and resupply his men with ammunition. When an officer subsequently took charge of his platoon, Sergeant Jespersen continued to disregard his own safety while aggressively directing his men. During the night, when ammunition was dropped from a resupply helicopter, he fearlessly rushed into the landing zone, obtained ammunition for his platoon and distributed it to his men. His heroic and timely actions in the face of great personal danger were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Sergeant Jespersen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.