The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant David Leroy Noakes (MCSN: 1932904), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 5 November 1970, Gunnery Sergeant Noakes’ Company was helilifted to a small island southwest of DaNang and almost immediately upon disembarking, came under a heavy volume of fire from North Vietnamese Army soldiers occupying well-concealed emplacements on both sides of the river. Observing that the lead platoon was pinned down by the withering fire, Gunnery Sergeant Noakes rushed across 300 meters of fire-swept terrain to the beleaguered unit, seized a rifle, and personally led an aggressive assault on the enemy positions, causing the hostile soldiers momentarily to fall back and providing the platoon with an opportunity to engage the North Vietnamese Army force in close combat. Observing a wounded Marine fall only five meters from enemy lines, Gunnery Sergeant Noakes completely disregarded his own safety as he ran to the man’s side and, seemingly oblivious to the rounds impacting around him, rendered first aid treatment before moving the casualty to a covered location. Then, while re-supply helicopters hovered on station, he again braved the intense fire as he moved to a dangerously exposed vantage point and guided the aircraft to a safe landing. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty during an extremely critical situation, Gunnery Sergeant Noakes contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.