The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Stephen A. Fanter (MCSN: 2250623), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Company C Driver and Interpreter, Battalion Landing Team First Battalion Third Marines (BLT 1/3), Special Landing Force Alpha, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the dark morning our of 11 October 1967, while in blocking positions west of Highway 1 during Operation MEDINA, Corporal Fanter was with the Command Group when the Company came under heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire when a North Vietnamese Army assault force penetrated Company C positions. Under a heavy volume of accurate enemy fire, Corporal Fanter moved forward along the ridgeline firing his M-16 rifle into the advancing North Vietnamese Army even though wounded in the initial assault. He continued to attack enemy with rifle fire and hand grenades even though seriously wounded again three more times. Unable to continue and defend and seriously wounded, Corporal Fanter was hit a fifth time by enemy fire while being carried to higher ground by another Marine. His courageous actions and resolute determination contributed significantly to stopping the North Vietnamese Army attack short of the BLT Command Post. By his courage and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Corporal Fanter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.