The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Jack Stephen Payne (MCSN: 1940198), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company I, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 1 July 1968, Staff Sergeant Payne’s platoon was occupying a defensive position southeast of Khe Sanh when the Marines came under intense mortar, small arms and automatic weapons fire supporting a determined ground assault by an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion. Reacting instantly, Staff Sergeant Payne directed the delivery of a heavy volume of fire upon the advancing enemy force and fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile fire as he utilized his 106-mm. recoilless rifle and skillfully employed artillery support against the North Vietnamese soldiers. When the enemy unit shifted its attack to another sector of the Marines’ perimeter, Staff Sergeant Payne ignored the hostile rounds impacting near him while ably adjusting mortar and artillery fire upon the hostile unit. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly moved about the fire-swept area, shouting words of encouragement to his men and directing their fire until the assault was repelled. Continuing his determined efforts for the next four days, he directed his men in successfully defending the position against several subsequent enemy attacks. His aggressive leadership and outstanding tactical skill enabled his platoon to account for 107 enemy soldiers confirmed killed and the seizure of a vast amount of North Vietnamese weapons and equipment. By his courage, bold initiative and dedicated devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Staff Sergeant Payne upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.