The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Jeffery Lynn Carrel (MCSN: 2311797), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with military operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 May 1967, during Operation UNION, Lance Corporal Carrel’s company was conducting a search and clear mission in Que Son District when it discovered an extensive tunnel complex concealing an undetermined number of Viet Cong. After tear gas and smoke failed to force the enemy to surrender, Lance Corporal Carrel courageously entered the narrow 200-meter long tunnel alone in an attempt to capture the enemy. Unable to locate the Viet Cong, he threw a hand grenade into the dark, twisting tunnel, but it failed to detonate and he moved back to the entrance. Daringly reentering the cave with his platoon commander, he maneuvered deep into the tunnel and came under heavy rifle fire from the entrenched enemy. Undaunted, he and his companion advanced to within ten meters of the enemy, threw another grenade and quickly left the tunnel. Although one Viet Cong emerged and surrendered, claiming there were no others in the tunnel, Lance Corporal Carrel and his platoon commander, armed with pistols, reentered the dark passage and bravely proceeded to within two meters of the remaining group of armed Viet Cong where they came under intense rifle fire. The Marines quickly expended their ammunition and crawled back through the dark, extremely hot passage to rearm. Entering the tunnel again with an M-16 rifle, they were met with a heavy volume of rifle fire from the enemy and falling dirt and debris which rendered their rifle inoperable, forced them to leave the cave. Early the following morning, Lance Corporal Carrel entered the tunnel for the fourth time through an entrance dug at the rear of the cave and assisted in recovering the dead Viet Cong. His daring actions and aggressive fighting spirit were instrumental in the deaths of five enemy soldiers and the capture of one Viet Cong, three rifles, individual equipment, a ton of rice and a case of valuable documents. By his dauntless courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lance Corporal Carrel upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.