The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Willie Ray Lewis (MCSN: 2390887), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company C, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 6 June 1968, during a search and destroy operations southwest of the Khe Sanh Combat Base, Private First Class Lewis’ squad was assigned to establish a helicopter landing zone. As the Marines approached the designated area, Private First Class Lewis alerting observed several enemy soldiers forward of his position. Reacting instantly, he took the hostile force under fire and killing two of the North Vietnamese soldiers, alerted the other Marines of the ambush. During the ensuing fire fight, a machine gunner was wounded. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Private First Class Lewis boldly seized the casualty’s weapon and directed a heavy volume of fire upon the enemy emplacements. Although he was seriously wounded he continued to deliver effective fire until he was ordered to submit to medical treatment. Quickly returning to his forward position, he seized a rifle and continued to fire at the hostile force. Subsequently, when the enemy fire ceased except for a single North Vietnamese sniper, he repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy fire until he pinpointed the hostile position and killed the sniper. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Private First Class Lewis upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.