The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Earnest Neal (MCSN: 2334226), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company D, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 29 April 1968, Company D was conducting a patrol near Cam Lo when the Marines suddenly came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force and were pinned down. Disregarding his own safety, Lance Corporal Neal unhesitatingly moved forward across the fire-swept terrain and commenced delivering a heavy volume of grenade launcher fire at the hostile positions. Alertly observing two Marine casualties lying in an area dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, he fearlessly maneuvered to within twenty meters of an enemy emplacement and moved the men to covered positions. Returning to an advantageous location, he continued to deliver effective fire while his unit withdrew. Later that day, Lance Corporal Neal’s platoon was ambushed by an enemy unit, and during the ensuing fire fight, the Marines were pinned down and surrounded. When friendly tanks arrived to assist the beleaguered Marines, Lance Corporal Neal fearlessly ran to the vehicles and commenced guiding them to his unit’s position. Approaching his platoon’s location, he observed two hostile soldiers and, reacting instantly, killed both of them. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in preventing his unit from being overrun. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Neal 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.