The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Terence M. Allen (MCSN: 0-57053), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 7 August 1969, while commanding a special five-man PRU team which was conducting a covert operation against province level member of the Viet Cong infrastructure in the Rung Sat Special Zone, Republic of Vietnam. After being inserted into the target area, Lieutenant Colonel Allen’s team penetrated the enemy security screen surrounding the target and was detected by enemy elements who immediately opened fire and pinned down two men in exposed positions. Lieutenant Colonel Allen moved the remaining members of the team to the flank of one of the enemy automatic weapons positions. He threw two hand grenades, lead a successful assault and captured the automatic rifle. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he again attacked the enemy with his small group, hitting the next enemy position whereupon the enemy attempted to shift their fire onto Lieutenant Colonel Allen who exposed himself to the fire and immediately assaulted the enemy position. His rapid and decisive actions permitted the personnel in the target area to proceed to the target, capture three members of the Viet Cong infrastructure and withdraw with prisoners and friendly wounded to the extraction site. Lieutenant Colonel Allen’s conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.