The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Robert R. Kennedy, Jr. (MCSN: 2271588), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Combined Action Platoon E-4, Second Combined Action Group, III Marine Amphibious Force, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 8 February 1968, Lance Corporal Kennedy’s unit in Quang Nam Province suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and mortar fire, followed by a determined ground attack by an estimated enemy battalion. Almost immediately the squad leader was wounded. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Lance Corporal Kennedy disregarded his own safety and moved from one position to another, relaying commands from the injured squad leader. Alertly observing four North Vietnamese soldiers approaching the compound gate, he fearlessly exposed himself to the intense enemy fire and killed three of the enemy with accurate rifle fire, forcing the fourth to withdraw. Assisted by two other Marines, he unhesitatingly ran to the gate and retrieved two of the enemy bodies with their weapons. Later in the morning, the platoon began receiving a heavy volume of mortar fire from enemy positions located several hundred meters from the defensive perimeter. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Kennedy climbed to the roof of a bunker and fired a light anti-tank assault weapon at the enemy emplacement, destroying the mortar and killing its crew. During the afternoon hours, the unit was again subjected to mortar fire from a hostile position located near the compound’s protective wire. Undaunted by the intense enemy fire around him, he maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain and accurately threw several hand grenades, which destroyed the enemy emplacement. After thirteen hours of continuous fighting against the numerically superior enemy force, the friendly unit was extracted from their precarious position by helicopter. Assisted by several other Marines and Popular Forces soldiers, Corporal Kennedy provided effective covering fire while half of the defenders were extracted. After the remaining men were embarked aboard the second aircraft, it could not be determined whether all the defenders were aboard. Seizing an M-60 machine gun, Lance Corporal Kennedy unhesitatingly jumped from the helicopter, searched the hazardous area for additional comrades and returned to the aircraft. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Lance Corporal Kennedy upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.