The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Robert E. Parrish (MCSN: 0-101368), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Tank Platoon Commander with the Third Battalion, First Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 25 January 1968, during Operation BADGER CATCH, Second Lieutenant Parrish’s platoon was attached to Company K which was conducting a search and destroy operation through the village of Xom Con Tong in Quang Tri Province. When one of the rifle platoons deployed as a blocking force came under intense enemy automatic weapons fire, he immediately moved to the area with four tanks to deliver supporting fire. Almost immediately, one of his tanks received three hits from anti-tank rocket rounds, disabling it and wounding three of the crew members. Although without a helmet and body armor, Second Lieutenant Parrish unhesitatingly dismounted from his tank and moved to a position exposed to hostile fire in front of the other tanks. Completely disregarding his own safety, he skillfully maneuvered two tanks to advantageous firing positions and directed another to the disabled vehicle’s position where he simultaneously supervised the embarkation of the casualties and direct suppressive fire against the enemy. As a result of his courageous actions, the hostile rocket emplacement was destroyed, killing several of the enemy and enabling the rifle platoon to overrun the enemy position and capture the rocket launcher. By his outstanding leadership, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Second Lieutenant Parrish upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.