The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Joseph Walter Lyons (MCSN: 2315470), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Scout with the First Force Reconnaissance Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 5 June 1968, Corporal Lyons was Rear Security for a ten-man long range reconnaissance patrol in Thua Thien Province. As the Marines prepared to continue their movement after a temporary halt, they suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force, seriously wounding Corporal Lyons. Ignoring his painful injury, he unhesitatingly directed a heavy volume of suppressive fire upon the enemy soldiers, which pinpointed their positions. Despite being wounded twice more, Corporal Lyons fearlessly continued to deliver accurate fire upon the hostile soldiers until he succumbed to his wounds. His heroic and timely actions were an inspiration to all who served with him and enabled his comrades to inflict numerous casualties on the enemy force. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Corporal Lyons contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.