The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Verner Ray Russell (MCSN: 2225712), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with as a Rifleman with Combined Action Platoon 0-1, Third Combined Action Group, THIRD Marine Amphibious Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 January 1968, two combined action platoons and the Huong Hoa District Headquarters in Quang Tri Province came under heavy attack by a battalion of North Vietnamese Army Regulars employing mortars, rockets and artillery. During the ensuing three hours, the enemy repeatedly assaulted the combined units’ positions and inflicted heavy casualties. When a machine gun position was disabled by enemy fire, Corporal Russell unhesitatingly moved across the hazardous area to the automatic weapon, repaired it and began to deliver a heavy volume of accurate fire at the advancing North Vietnamese. Although wounded in the leg and stunned by the concussion of an exploding rocket propelled grenade when his bunker received a direct hit, he disregarded his injuries and crawled back to the machine gun and continued to direct effective suppressive fire against the enemy. As a result of the skillful employment of his weapon, he was able to effectively counter the pressure on the weakened sector of the perimeter and inflict heavy casualties on the hostile force. For the next thirty-three hours, Corporal Russell steadfastly remained at his position, despite harassing mortar, B-40 rocket and small arms fire, and continued to engage targets of opportunity until the North Vietnamese broke contact and withdrew from the area. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Corporal Russell was instrumental in the defeat of the enemy and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.