The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel George C. Fox (MCSN: 0-47459), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 22 January to 18 March 1969. Throughout this period, Lieutenant Colonel Fox aggressively led his battalion against North Vietnamese Forces in a drive through the Ashau Valley toward the Laotian border. On 22 January 1969, he boldly directed a heliborne assault into southern Da Krong Valley in western Quang Tri Province to secure an area for the construction of Fire Base Razor and through his forceful leadership and vast knowledge of construction, enabled artillery to occupy the position within 24 hours after the arrival of his battalion. Immediately planning patrol activities, he commenced widely dispersed activities which disclosed numerous supply caches and resulted in the capture of a fully equipped field hospital. On 30 January, Lieutenant Colonel Fox personally directed a reconnaissance in force over rugged, mountainous terrain, and despite extremely adverse weather conditions which reduced viability to zero and prevented the logistical supply of his units, he skillfully deployed his maneuver elements in extensive operations against North Vietnamese Army forces. Participating in a multi-battalion offensive toward the south which began on 10 February, he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy volumes of hostile fire while encouraging his men and directing and controlling the fire of his unit. Demonstrating unlimited resourcefulness, Lieutenant Colonel Fox conceived imaginative operations that succeeded in driving the North Vietnamese from heavily defended installations back to and across the border. His resolute determination and bold initiative inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his battalion’s accounting for 185 enemy soldiers killed and the destruction of huge quantities of weapons, munitions, and equipment. By his courage, aggressive leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Lieutenant Colonel Fox upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.