The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Michael A. Eggers (MCSN: 2313037), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 May 1968, while participating in Operation ALLEN BROOK in Quang Nam Province, the lead elements of Company I suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and mortar fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force and were pinned down in an open area, sustaining numerous casualties. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Corporal Eggers boldly led his men to covered positions and directed effective suppressive fire on the well entrenched enemy. Exposing himself to the hostile fire, he brought a heavy volume of fire to bear against an enemy machine-gun emplacement, suppressing the weapon’s fire and allowing his comrades to move the wounded to positions of relative safety. Ignoring the rounds impacting near him, Corporal Eggers courageously maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain and quickly silenced another enemy automatic weapon. Upon learning that the unit’s Corpsman had been killed, he began to treat the wounded while simultaneously firing his rifle, annihilating two North Vietnamese snipers who were firing at the casualties. Subsequently, when his squad leader became a casualty, Corporal Eggers assumed command of the squad and, while air strikes were conducted within fifty meters of his position, selflessly protected his companion with his own body. His outstanding leadership and aggressive fighting spirit were an inspiration to all who observed him, contributed significantly to the defeat of the enemy, and undoubtedly saved several Marine lives. By his courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Corporal Eggers upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.