The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Robert Jefferson Dartt (MCSN: 2049979), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 25 December 1965, while serving as a Squad Leader with the Second Platoon of Company C, Corporal Dartt was leading a squad size reconnaissance patrol near DaNang when the unit was subjected to intense enemy automatic and semi-automatic weapons fire that seriously wounded two men in the point fire team. Remaining in an exposed position, Corporal Dartt skillfully deployed his men to deliver effective fire on the enemy. With complete disregard for his own safety, he moved to aid the wounded, providing covering fire and ensuring that they were moved to a sheltered position for further treatment by a corpsman. After successfully clearing the Viet Cong from the area, Corporal Dartt set up a secure landing zone and requested helicopter medical evacuation for the casualties. On arrival of the aircraft, he supervised the rapid and professional embarkation of the stricken men. On the second ay, Corporal Dartt’s squad and the remainder of the Second Platoon were engaged in the destruction of enemy fortifications south of DaNang Airfield. A skilled demolitionist, Corporal Dartt had just completed the destruction of an enemy bunker when the platoon was taken under a heavy volume of automatic and semi-automatic weapons fire. Observing that one of his men was seriously wounded in both hands in the initial burst of fire, Corporal Dartt fearlessly moved across an open area and provided covering fire until the man was in a protected position. After firing several rounds with his grenade launcher and significantly reducing the intensity and accuracy of incoming fire from an enemy position across the river, he obtained a Light Anti-Tank Assault Weapon from another Marine and was attempting to place effective fire on the enemy when he was seriously wounded in the face. Despite his suffering from loss of teeth, multiple jaw fractures and loss of blood and flesh from the wound in his cheek, he continued to move under his own power until he was evacuated from the area. By his daring leadership and selfless dedication to duty, Corporal Dartt upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.