The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Stanley Wilbert Main (MCSN: 0-76635/669798), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Sergeant of Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 22 November 1952. When the unit contacted the enemy during a raid far forward of the main line of resistance, Staff Sergeant Main courageously led his men through devastating enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire into the hostile defensive positions. As the enemy continued to pour accurate fire into the ranks of the assaulting Marines, he moved from man to man, pointing out targets and directing the fire of his men in order to neutralize the hostile fire. When an attempt was made to encircle the unit, he personally killed four of the enemy soldiers and, by skillfully maneuvering his forces, caused the enemy reinforcements, consisting of two squads approaching from different directions, to fire into each other’s ranks. After two Marines were seriously wounded by enemy fire, he successfully directed their evacuation although the area was under intense enemy mortar fire. By his outstanding courage, daring initiative and indomitable fighting spirit, Staff Sergeant Maine served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Staff SergeantBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
5th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
November 22, 1952
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First Lieutenant [then Second Lieutenant]Batallion:
Headquarters & Maintenance Squadron 17Regiment:
Marine Wing Support Group 17Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
March 23, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant [then Second Lieutenant] Stanley Wilbert Main (MCSN: 0-76635), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Officer in Charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Section with Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron SEVENTEEN, Marine Wing Support Group SEVENTEEN, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, on 23 March 1967, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. When a Marine A-6A aircraft laden with rockets and 500-pound bombs collided on the DaNang Air Base runway with a United States Air Force C-141 carrying 65,000 pounds of explosive acetylene gas and cooking oil, First Lieutenant Main immediately rushed to the crash site. Finding both aircraft engulfed in flames, he recommended to the On Site Commander that a volunteer Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team attempt to defuse the unexploded ordnance even though it was known that only a small amount of the ordnance had exploded and that the remainder could detonate at any time. Accompanied by three volunteers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Section, First Lieutenant Main unhesitatingly entered the fiery wreckage, quickly located and expeditiously defused two of the bombs and rolled one rocket pod away from the flames. Displaying the utmost professional skill and courage, he and his men completely disregarded the danger from exploding acetylene tanks and painful burns sustained from handling the hot fuses as they rendered the ordnance safe. After clearing the area of known explosives, First Lieutenant Main called in the Crash Crew and directed them in fighting the fire. Throughout the perilous operation, he remained calm and was instrumental in preventing additional damage to surrounding aircraft and equipment and potential casualties to nearby personnel. By his exceptional leadership, fearless initiative, courage and inspiring devotion to duty at great personal risk, First Lieutenant Main upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.