The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Gary A. Rood (MCSN: 2122346), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 March 1966, during Operation Utah in Quang Ngai Province, Company F was subjected to intense enemy fire from a well entrenched enemy with Private First Class Rood’s platoon taken under particularly vicious Viet Cong machine gun fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Private First Class Rood unhesitatingly exposed himself to the hostile fire in an attempt to employ his M-72 Light Antitank Assault Weapon. After three misfires, he abandoned the malfunctioning weapon and hurried across a fire swept rice paddy to obtain grenades. Retracing his steps through the embattled field, he courageously charged through increasingly intense and accurate Viet Cong fire to within thirty feet of an enemy fifty caliber machine gun position. Savagely attacking with hand grenades, he destroyed the enemy gun position, eliminating a serious threat which had prevented the advance of his unit. By his intrepid fighting spirit, uncommon fortitude in the face of extreme danger and selfless dedication to duty, Private First Class Rood upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.