The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Adrian Salome Lopez (MCSN: 2375936), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Third Force Reconnaissance Company, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 16 February 1968, Private Lopez was a member of a reconnaissance patrol operating southeast of Con Thien when they made contact with several North Vietnamese soldiers and during the brief fire-fight, one Marine was wounded. Exposing himself to the enemy fire, Private Lopez provided covering fire while the corpsman administered first aid to the casualty. Subsequently, while moving to a helicopter landing zone to evacuate the casualty, the Marines suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior force and sustained three additional casualties. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Private Lopez unhesitatingly directed a heavy volume of automatic rifle fire upon the hostile positions, attracting the attention and fire of the enemy away from the wounded. Moving to the side of a casualty, he ignored the enemy fire impacting around him and assisted in administering first aid. As a medical evacuation helicopter approached the landing site, he assisted a companion in moving a wounded man across forty meters of fire swept terrain to the helicopter. After embarking, he realized that three casualties were not aboard. With complete disregard for his own safety, he jumped from the helicopter in an attempt to rescue the injured men and was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy automatic weapons fire. His bold initiative and sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, exceptional professionalism and steadfast devotion to duty, Private Lopez upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.