The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant [then Second Lieutenant] Arnold C. Nyulassy (MCSN: 0-109102), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 August 1969, while participating in a search and clear operation in the Que Son-Hiep Duc Valley in Quang Nam Province, First Lieutenant Nyulassy and his company came under intense automatic-weapons and small arms fire from a large, well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force. Quickly assessing the situation, he deployed his men into advantageous fighting positions and launched an aggressive counterattack on the hostile force. During the ensuing fire fight, First Lieutenant Nyulassy repeatedly disregarded his own safety to pinpoint enemy positions and direct the fire of his men. When lead elements were temporarily pinned down by fire from a fifty-caliber machine gun, First Lieutenant Nyulassy boldly led his platoon forward in the face of constant sniper fire and destroyed the machine gun emplacement. Although he had sustained a painful fragmentation wound, he personally moved a wounded Marine from the line of fire and continued to direct and encourage his men until the enemy broke contact and withdrew and all casualties had been evacuated. By his courage, dynamic leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty in an extremely hazardous situation, First Lieutenant Nyulassy upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.