The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Jose A. Ortiz (MCSN: 2466149), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 24 August 1969, Lance Corporal Ortiz’s platoon was searching a village in Quang Nam Province. Looking inside a house, Lance Corporal Ortiz alertly observed a North Vietnamese Army utility shirt caught in a trap door and, informing his men of his discovery, led his fire team into the house. Quietly moving up to the trap door, he suddenly kicked it open. As he did so, a burst of hostile automatic weapon fire was directed at him and two hand grenades were thrown out. Reacting instantly, Lance Corporal Ortiz shouted a warning to his men and pushed the three of them out of the house, placing himself between them and the grenades in the few seconds before the explosion. Lance Corporal Ortiz was mortally wounded by grenade fragments, however, his three men, who received lesser wounds because of his valiant act, survived. Exiting a few minutes later, the North Vietnamese soldiers he had discovered were killed by the Marines. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of three men. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Ortiz upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.