The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Richard L. Gibson (MCSN: 2370606), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Guide with Company D, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Early on the morning of 16 March 1969, Corporal Gibson’s squad was moving from the patrol base toward an ambush site when the Marines encountered a squad-sized hostile unit in the process of establishing an ambush. Initiating contact, the Marines killed three enemy soldiers before being pinned down by intense hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire. When the Marine squad sustained several casualties, Corporal Gibson immediately maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain to assist the corpsman in treating and evacuating the wounded men. Observing that an entire machine gun team had sustained injuries, Corporal Gibson unhesitatingly exposed himself to enemy fire as he picked up the team’s weapon and its ammunition and then fearlessly advanced toward the hostile force. Boldly providing a heavy volume of covering fire, he enabled his companions to move the remaining casualties out of the hazardous area. After all the Marines had been evacuated, he continued his aggressive efforts, throwing grenades at the enemy until the hostile positions were silenced. Subsequently, when the medical evacuation helicopter arrived over the area, and the enemy soldiers attempted to lure the aircraft in their direction through the use of strobe lights, Corporal Gibson ran out into an open area and directed the helicopter to a safe landing. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Corporal Gibson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.