The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Anthony Perino (MCSN: 2205594), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company H, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 29 July 1967, during Operation KINGFISHER, Corporal Perino’s platoon came under intense automatic weapons and mortar fire from a well entrenched North Vietnamese Army force and sustained numerous casualties. Observing two wounded Marines lying in an area dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, Corporal Perino immediately led his fire team forward to assist in the evacuation of his comrades from the hazardous area. While moving across the fire-swept terrain, his fire team became pinned down by the heavy volume of fire. Disregarding his own personal safety, Corporal Perino unhesitatingly exposed himself to the hostile fire to deliver effective suppressive fire on the enemy positions, thereby permitting his unit to successfully move the wounded to a place of relative safety. Realizing that the increasingly heavy enemy fire was seriously hampering the recovery of the wounded, Corporal Perino skillfully maneuvered fifty meters through the hostile fire and single-handed, assaulted a fortified bunker. Aggressively firing his rifle and throwing hand grenades until all enemy resistance ceased, he enabled other elements of the platoon to evacuate the remainder of the casualties and continue their mission. His resolute determination and aggressive fighting spirit undoubtedly saved the lives of numerous Marines and were an inspiration to all who observed him. By his steadfast courage, superior leadership and unswerving devotion to duty at great personal risk, Corporal Perino contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.