The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Earl Raymond Davis (MCSN: 1375531), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, in connection with military operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 May 1966 while leading the point elements of a reaction force moving to assist a beleaguered patrol, Staff Sergeant Davis and members of his force came under heavy automatic weapons and mortar fire from a numerically superior and deeply entrenched Viet Cong Battalion. Repeatedly exposing himself to hostile fire, Staff Sergeant Davis was successful in calling counter mortar fire on enemy positions. During an ensuing attack on the enemy positions, his Platoon Leader was killed and Staff Sergeant Davis assumed command. He quickly rallied and encouraged his men as they crossed 200 meters of open rice paddy under intensive automatic weapons and mortar fire. Upon reaching his objective, Staff Sergeant Davis then organized a base of fire in support of another platoon’s assault. With the second objective secured, Staff Sergeant Davis led his platoon in a successful frontal assault on the two remaining trench lines. Subsequently, a CH-46 helicopter arriving to evacuate casualties received damaging ground fire. Staff Sergeant Davis quickly located the enemy weapons and standing fully exposed to enemy observation and fire calmly directed fire on the enemy position which resulted in six enemy casualties. Staff Sergeant Davis’ inspiring leadership, bold courage, and daring actions were instrumental in the repelling and defeat of the numerically superior enemy force; thereby upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.