The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Stanley Anthony Gawlinski, Jr. (MCSN: 2323533), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 24 August 1968, Private First Class Gawlinski was serving as Point Man for a six man patrol assigned to establish an ambush site, when the unit suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and hand grenade attack from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Although seriously wounded, Private First Class Gawlinski completely disregarded his own safety and, fearlessly crawling to within fifteen meters of the automatic weapon emplacement, destroyed it with two accurately thrown grenades, accounting for two enemy killed and effectively suppressing the hostile fire long enough for his companions to maneuver to a covered position and establish fire superiority. Although bleeding profusely, he crawled back across the hazardous terrain and, upon arriving at his unit’s position, continued to battle the enemy until a reaction force arrived to assist the beleaguered unit. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and enabled his unit to continue its mission. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Private First Class Gawlinski upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.