The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Nolan J. Lala (MCSN: 2135240), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Motor Vehicle Operator with Company C, First Motor Transport Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 31 January 1968, Private First Class Lala completely disregarded his own safety as he drove his vehicle through heavy hostile fire to re-supply the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam radio site in Hue with vitally needed ammunition, water and food. The following day, when he observed a company of Marines temporarily pinned down by heavy automatic weapons fire from North Vietnamese positions on the top floor of a nearby building, he unhesitatingly maneuvered his truck into an intersection and climbed to an exposed position to man the .50 caliber machine gun mounted on the vehicle. Courageously delivering a heavy volume of fire, he steadfastly maintained his position in the fire-swept area until he had routed the North Vietnamese soldiers from their emplacements, killing one and wounding two others. His prompt and fearless action undoubtedly saved many of his fellow Marines from injury or possible death and allowed the company to continue its mission. When his truck was disabled by a hostile mine on 2 February, he volunteered to serve as machine gunner on another vehicle. For the remainder of the day and through the following day, he continued to ignore the danger to his own life as he faced intense hostile fire on fifteen separate occasions to deliver covering machine gun fire and assist in the evacuation of the wounded from the battle area. By his inspiring courage, intrepid fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Corporal Lala contributed materially to the success of the Marines’ advance into Hue and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.