The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Michael Curiel Vega (MCSN: 2113488), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company F, Second 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 28 February 1966, during Operation NEW YORK, Lance Corporal Vega’s Company was engaged in a search and destroy operation in the Thua Thien Province when it was taken under heavy machine gun and mortar fire by a well entrenched, numerically superior Viet Cong force. Situated on the left flank of the Third Rifle Platoon which was deployed to block the enemy retreat, Lance Corporal Vega skillfully directed the fire of his team as the Viet Cong tried to move past his position. When the enemy attempted to envelop his platoon’s position, Lance Corporal Vega halted their advance by throwing a grenade in their midst. In the process, he was thrown into the air by an exploding enemy grenade. Although he was stunned and had lost his glasses and rifle, he promptly took a weapon from a Viet Cong casualty and joined two other Marines in an aggressive assault which killed seven of the enemy. When members of his fire team were wounded in an open rice paddy, he effectively delivered fire on the hostile positions to protect the stricken men. Braving the devastating fire, he courageously carried one of his fallen comrades across twenty-five meters of fire raked terrain to a protected position. His skill and aggressiveness contributed in large measure to the Marines’ success in the engagement, which accounted for one hundred and twenty-two Viet Cong killed and an undetermined number wounded. By his intrepid fighting spirit, fortitude in the face of grave danger and unswerving dedication to duty throughout, Lance Corporal Vega upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.