The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Lamontagne (MCSN: 0-54688), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Embarkation Officer of the THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 31 January 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Lamontagne was the Escort Officer for a convoy of four tanks and heavy engineer equipment en route from Phu Bai to an embarkation point at Hue City. Upon arriving at the southern edge of the city, he encountered a Marine company heavily engaged with a numerically superior enemy force which had infiltrated into the city. Quickly assessing the critical situation, Lieutenant Colonel Lamontagne deployed the tank convoy into an attack formation to support the beleaguered Marines. With complete disregard for his own safety, he moved throughout the fire-swept area, locating enemy emplacements and directing the tanks into advantageous firing positions. As additional Marine units were committed to the battle he skillfully coordinated the employment of the tanks with the battalion commander, adjusting their fires to ensure maximum support. On numerous occasions during the day-long fire fight, Lieutenant Colonel Lamontagne fearlessly exposed himself to intense enemy small arms fire to aid wounded Marines and assist in moving them to protected areas. His superb leadership and steadfast determination inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the seizure of numerous critical positions within the city, including the besieged compound of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Headquarters. By his courage, indomitable fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Lamontagne upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.