The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Ronald Gagnet (MCSN: 2425054), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company B, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 25 May 1969, the First Platoon of Company B was operating approximately two miles north of Fire Support Base RUSSELL in Quang Tri Province when the Marines came under a heavy volume of fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force occupying a well-concealed bunker complex. Reacting instantly, Private First Class Gagnet commenced delivering devastatingly accurate machine gun fire at the supporting hostile bunkers, thereby enabling the remainder of his platoon to assault the primary enemy position. When his unit was subsequently ordered to withdraw to allow Marine aircraft to conduct strafing runs on the enemy positions, Private First Class Gagnet fearlessly rushed across the fire-swept terrain to within fifteen feet of the enemy and recovered the bodies of two Marines who had been mortally wounded. On the following day, his platoon was again engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army force. Alertly observing that an enemy hand grenade had caused extensive casualties among the second machine gun team, Private First Class Gagnet boldly ran across the hazardous area to the team’s position. Although painfully wounded by enemy fire, he assumed command of the machine gun team and, delivering an intense volume of fire on the hostile unit, forced the enemy to break contact. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Private First Class Gagnet inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.