The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Elias S. Pembleton (MCSN: 2036330), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company E, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 June 1969, Staff Sergeant Pembleton’s platoon was conducting a search and destroy operation in the Cam Lo Valley area of Quang Tri Province when the Marines were attacked by an enemy force utilizing mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, automatic weapons, and command detonated anti-personnel mines. After the unit withdrew to enable the employment of artillery fire and tactical air strikes, Staff Sergeant Pembleton established a base of fire and then maneuvered two squads against the hostile position, causing the enemy to abandon their fortifications. Completely disregarding his own safety, he then led his men in an assault on a second hostile-controlled hilltop, alertly calling out warnings when the entrenched enemy tossed hand grenades down the slope at the advancing Marines. Reaching the summit, he killed two hostile soldiers with an accurately thrown grenade and then directed his men during an attack on a third objective. Again warning his companions of the locations of enemy grenades tossed from above, he led the Marines in an aggressive assault which forced the hostile unit to withdraw, leaving behind seven North Vietnamese killed and six rifle, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and ten hand grenades. By his courage, bold leadership and steadfast devotion to duty at great personal risk, Staff Sergeant Pembleton inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.