The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Philip C. Cisneros (MCSN: 0-81499), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company I, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 27 June 1969, while Company I was supporting the First Brigade, Fifth Infantry Division (Mechanized), United States Army, south of Khe Sanh, the Marines came under a heavy volume of mortar, small arms, and rocket propelled grenade fire from three North Vietnamese Army companies occupying an advantageous position on higher ground. Reacting instantly, Captain Cisneros initiated an energetic defense of his unit’s position and, during the ensuing fierce engagement, skillfully coordinated the utilization of all arms at his disposal in an effort to prevent penetration of his defensive perimeter by the determined hostile force. In a daring display of courage and composure under fire, he repeatedly disregarded his own safety as he sought vantage points from which to adjust fire upon the enemy emplacements. While maneuvering across the fire-swept terrain to shout words of encouragement to his men and direct their movements, Captain Cisneros was severely wounded by a hostile round impacting nearby and, steadfastly refusing medical attention, continued to skillfully adjust mortar fire on a bomb crater which was a major source of enemy fire, successfully eliminating the North Vietnamese Army position. Having gained fire superiority, he ignored his painful injury as he then called in supporting Marine artillery fire and fixed wing air strikes upon remaining hostile positions and possible avenues of escape which enabled his company to completely defeat the disorganized enemy force and account for twenty-two North Vietnamese Army soldiers killed. Only after all the casualties had been evacuated to safety would he permit treatment of his serious wounds. His military acumen and brilliant utilization of all supporting arms fire resulted in numerous hostile casualties, the apprehension of a prisoner, and the seizure of vast quantities of enemy arms and equipment. By his courage, dynamic leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Captain Cisneros contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his company’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.