The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Timothy K. Gelinas (MCSN: 2163569), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Sentry Dog Handler with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Early in the morning of 11 November 1968, while leading an ambush patrol in defense of a gasoline storage facility near the Hai Van Pass in Quang Ngi Province, Sergeant Gelinas was alerted by his sentry dog to the presence of the enemy and quickly deployed his men into ambush positions. As the North Vietnamese Army platoon augmented with Viet Cong sappers, entered the fire zone, he triggered the ambush and inflicted severe casualties on the enemy. During the ensuing fierce fire fight, a Marine was hit by an enemy round and fell directly in the line of fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Gelinas dashed into the open, placed himself between his fallen comrade and the enemy, and delivered a steady volume of suppressive fire while several Marines moved forward and evacuated the wounded man to a covered position. Although he himself was seriously wounded while protecting his fellow Marine, Sergeant Gelinas remained in the open and continued to fire his weapon until assured that the casualty was safe and his men were in defensive positions. Then, resolutely refusing medical evacuation, he encouraged and directed his men until reinforcements arrived and the hostile force was routed. His heroic actions at the risk of his own life inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the life of a fellow Marine. By his extraordinary courage, dauntless leadership, and selfless devotion to duty, Sergeant Gelinas upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.