The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Patrick Nappi (MCSN: 0-106382), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 3 August 1969, Company M was conducting a search and destroy phase of Operation DURHAM PEAK in the rugged mountains southeast of An Hoa, Quang Nam Province. As the Marines proceeded toward their objective, the lead element was pinned down by a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force occupying a well-concealed bunker complex. Reacting instantly, Second Lieutenant Nappi led two of his squads to the assistance of the beleaguered Marines and, boldly moving throughout the fire-swept terrain, shouted instructions and encouraged his men as he ably directed their accurate fire at the hostile unit. After assigning one squad the mission of evacuating the casualties to safety, he fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile fire and led the remaining squad in an aggressive assault against the enemy. Undaunted by the hostile hand grenades impacting near him, Second Lieutenant Nappi skillfully utilized individual and fire team rushes to maneuver his comrades closer to the enemy emplacements, forcing the hostile soldiers to break contact. Subsequently pursuing the retreating enemy by fire, he was instrumental in inflicting numerous casualties upon the North Vietnamese Army force. His heroic and timely actions and outstanding knowledge of tactics were an inspiration to the Marines who served with him and contributed significantly to the defeat of the hostile unit. By his courage, superb leadership and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Second Lieutenant Nappi upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.