The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Paul C. Lyons (MCSN: 2122037), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 17 May 1967. While engaged in a search and destroy operation north of the village of Cam Lo in Quang Tri Province, Company G suddenly came under enemy grenade attack and small arms and automatic weapons fire. While moving to secure a hedgerow in order to provide security for the company’s left flank, Corporal Lyons’ platoon came under intense automatic weapons fire from a well fortified enemy bunker, wounding two Marines in his squad. With complete disregard for his own safety, he courageously moved between the enemy and the remainder of his squad. Single-handedly, he fearlessly stood and began delivering a heavy volume of fire on the Viet Cong position, temporarily suppressing their fire and enabling his squad to advance. Observing one of his fire teams temporarily pinned down when hostile fire resumed, he unhesitatingly and aggressively moved forward to provide covering fire, permitting them to maneuver to a more advantageous position. Undaunted by the intense enemy automatic weapons fire, he gallantly advanced to within five feet of the Viet Cong bunker and threw in a while phosphorus grenade, allowing his fire team to successfully assault and destroy the enemy position. As a result of his outstanding leadership, bold initiative and selfless courage, he was undoubtedly instrumental in saving the lives of several of his fellow Marines and in accomplishing his unit’s mission. By his heroic action, aggressive fighting spirit and resolute devotion to duty at great personal risk, Corporal Lyons inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.