Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Reconnaissance Battalion

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    May 26, 1969

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Garry D. Kline (MCSN: 2351248), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Patrol Leader with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 26 May 1969, Sergeant Kline was leading a seven-man team on a long-range reconnaissance patrol in the An Hoa area of Quang Nam Province when the Marines came under fire from a well-concealed, numerically superior hostile force and the point man was mortally wounded. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Kline unhesitatingly rushed the enemy position, firing his weapon and wounded several of the hostile soldiers. As a result of his single-handed attack, the enemy withdrew long enough for the Marines to establish a hasty defense. Shortly thereafter, the hostile unit surrounded the patrol and enemy reinforcements moved in, throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons. After contacting headquarters and requesting air support and an emergency extraction, Sergeant Kline repeatedly exposed himself to the hostile fire in order to mark targets for the aircraft. Fearlessly maneuvering from one position to another, he directed the fire of his men and shouted words of encouragement to the beleaguered team until the extraction helicopter arrived overhead. When the pilot was unable to locate the team, Sergeant Kline valiantly rushed out into the open to signal the aircraft with an air panel, and when doing so, was severely wounded by the fragments from an enemy rocket-propelled grenade. Ignoring the intense pain from his injuries, he crawled back to his men, turned over his radio to his assistant, and instructed him on how to proceed with the extraction, before he lost consciousness and was subsequently evacuated from the hazardous area. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Sergeant Kline upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.