Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Gunnery Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    5th Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    March 19, 1969

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Arthur Gray Walker (MCSN: 1450549), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Company Gunnery Sergeant of Headquarters and Service Company, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF. Early on the morning of 19 March 1969, the First Battalion’s command post at the Liberty Bridge cantonment in Quang Nam Province came under intense rocket and mortar fire supporting an assault by an enemy company. Reacting instantly, Gunnery Sergeant Walker organized his personnel into a reaction force and, although sustaining painful wounds, maneuvered his men across the fire-swept terrain to reinforce the defensive lines. When hostile soldiers penetrated a sector of the perimeter, he skillfully deployed his Marines and met the advancing enemy with an accurate volume of fire. During the ensuing battle, he repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire as he maneuvered his unit into advantageous positions from which to direct counteractions against the hostile soldiers. Under his aggressive leadership, his Marines captured several flame throwers and killed ten enemy soldiers who were attacking friendly positions with satchel charges. Steadfastly refusing medical treatment, he continued to encourage and direct his men until assured that the perimeter was secured and that all seriously wounded Marines had been evacuated. His rapid tactical decisions and skillful deployment of his men inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit successfully repelling the hostile attack. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Gunnery Sergeant Walker was instrumental in his battalion accounting for seventy-two hostile soldiers killed and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.