The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Donald E. Steiner (MCSN: 2336548), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 August 1968, Company E was participating in Operation MAMELUKE THRUST in Quang Nam Province when Corporal Steiner’s platoon came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force and several Marines fell wounded in a dangerously exposed area. After several attempts to retrieve the casualties were abandoned because of the intense hostile fire, Corporal Steiner unhesitatingly commenced delivering suppressive fire upon the enemy positions as he maneuvered across 150 meters of fire-swept terrain to the side of an injured Marine. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly shielded his injured comrade with his own body while skillfully treating the man’s wounds and then carried the casualty through the intense hostile fire to a covered position. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near him, he maneuvered across the hazardous area on two additional occasions to assist other wounded Marines, and as he was moving the third man to a position of relative safety, Corporal Steiner was seriously injured. Resolutely continuing his determined efforts, he steadfastly refused medical assistance until the other wounded man had been evacuated. His resolute determination and sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of his fellow Marines. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Corporal Steiner upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.