The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Johnnie Carter, III (MCSN: 2488459), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Reconnaissance Man with the First Force Reconnaissance Company, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 June 1969, Private First Class Carter was serving as Point Man during a long-range reconnaissance patrol southwest of DaNang when the Marines made contact with two enemy soldiers, killing one and wounding the other. Because the team’s position had been compromised, Private First Class Carter quickly led his men to an area affording cover and concealment. Suddenly, three North Vietnamese approached the Marines’ position and, Private First Class Carter, initiating the contact, wounded one and forced the others to retreat. In an effort to capture the wounded enemy, he unhesitatingly left his position of relative safety and rushed across the fire-swept terrain to the casualty’s side, where he was joined by the patrol leader and a Corpsman. While medical assistance was being rendered to the injured hostile soldier, several more enemy began maneuvering toward the Marines. Fearlessly standing in full view of the enemy, Private First Class Carter killed one of the hostile soldiers, and when a hand grenade landed between the wounded patrol leader, the enemy casualty, and the Corpsman, Private First Class Carter boldly dived between them, grabbed the grenade, and threw it back. After leading the Marines to a more defensible position, he directed accurate suppressive fire which disrupted a North Vietnamese assault against the patrol’s defensive perimeter. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty, Private First Class Carter was instrumental in the successful extraction of the reconnaissance team and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.