The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Jack E. Crouch, Jr. (MCSN: 2115687), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with the Third Platoon, Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 22 September 1966. While acting as a scouting element for the company in the pursuit of an enemy force of indeterminate size, Lance Corporal Crouch and his team came under automatic weapons fire from one of the enemy’s rear guard positions. Realizing the danger of his company’s attack being delayed, he led his fire team aggressively forward, forcing the enemy to fall back several hundred meters to a secondary position. Despite the grave danger to himself, Lance Corporal Crouch moved well ahead of his team, urging them to follow him toward the trenchline from which the enemy fire was coming. He succeeded in reaching the trenchline, and the enemy again fell back. Although seriously wounded in the action, he continued to shout encouragement to his men until he was evacuated. He subsequently succumbed to his wounds. By his courageous disregard for his own safety, inspiring devotion to duty and outstanding leadership, Lance Corporal Crouch upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.