The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Michael Jeff Mixon (MCSN: 2062439), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Platoon Sergeant of Weapons Platoon, Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 September 1967, during Operation SWIFT, Company B established contact with a numerically superior force of North Vietnamese Army Regulars. During the ensuing fire fight, a group of thirty Marines became separated from their unit. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Sergeant Mixon unhesitatingly assumed command of the isolated unit and quickly organized the men into an effective fighting force. Repeatedly exposing himself to enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, he regrouped his men and directed an orderly withdrawal to the battalion defensive perimeter. Observing two wounded Marines lying in an open rice paddy and pinned down by enemy fire, he disregarded his own safety to supervise their evacuation. He then led his men across the fire-swept terrain to the relative safety of the battalion defensive perimeter, consolidated their positions and, throughout the night, directed suppressive fires against the enemy force. His bold initiative and calm presence of mind in the face of extreme personal danger inspired his men and undoubtedly prevented his unit from sustaining further casualties. By his courage, superb professionalism and unfaltering devotion to duty, Sergeant Mixon contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.