The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Richard J. Early (MCSN: 0-105077), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Early on the morning of 12 October 1968, during Operation MAUI PEAK, Company E’s defensive position on Hill 100 near Thuong Duc in Quang Nam Province came under intense hostile mortar, rocket and machine gun fire supporting an assault by a large North Vietnamese Army force. Informed of the malfunction of a machine gun defending an adjacent platoon’s sector of the perimeter, Second Lieutenant Early completely disregarded his own safety as he fearlessly moved across the fire-swept area to the firing emplacement with another machine gun and skillfully directed a heavy volume of devastating fire against hostile soldiers, successfully repelling their assault upon that portion of the Marine defensive position. Realizing that several of the second platoon’s emplacements had been seized by the enemy, he quickly organized a reaction force from members of his unit. Undaunted by the intensity of the North Vietnamese fire, he fearlessly led his men in an aggressive counterattack, shouting words of encouragement to his Marines and directing their fire until the North Vietnamese soldiers were ejected from the positions. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his company accounting for thirty-one enemy soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Second Lieutenant Early upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.