Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    1st Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    March 5, 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Manuel Sanchez (MCSN: 2036967), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader of an 81-mm Mortar Section attached to Company M, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 5 March 1966, during Operation UTAH, Corporal Sanchez was assigned as a Fire Team Leader in a provisional rifle squad which was hastily organized to rescue a Marine unit which had become pinned down by intense automatic weapons fire from a Viet Cong bunker in a trench line. As he and his men were moving forward, they were subjected to an extremely heavy volume of fire. Undaunted, Corporal Sanchez continued to advance, shouting orders and encouragement to his fellow Marines and firing at the enemy. Although he narrowly missed being wounded when an enemy round smashed through his canteen, he fearlessly moved forward to within ten feet of Viet Cong tunnel openings, where he aggressively drove the enemy to cover with fire before throwing grenades into their positions. He personally destroyed four enemy positions and accounted for six of the enemy dead. Hid daring actions were a decisive factor in relieving the pressure on the pinned down Marines and the subsequent destruction of the Viet Cong strong point. By his intrepid fighting spirit, bold initiative and unfaltering dedication to duty, Corporal Sanchez upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.