The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Second Class Wesley L. Barraud (NSN: 5466509), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force while serving as Chief Corpsman with Company H, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces on 18 December 1965, in the Republic of Vietnam. During Operation HARVEST MOON, Petty Officer Barraud was accompanying the command group on a march in the vicinity of Trung Phan when the company was subjected to a fierce attack by heavily armed Viet Cong forces. Observing that the Company Commander and his radio operator were critically wounded and helpless in the field of fire, Petty Officer Barraud immediately left his protected position and moved across the fire-swept area to aid them. Although wounded in the leg in this heroic effort, he administered first aid to the fallen Marines quickly and competently, calmly disregarding the intense enemy fire which pelted the area. When joined by another corpsman, he skillfully advised him on treating the wounded and on their priority of evacuation. Although wounded a second time while waiting for the helicopter, he continued to advise and encourage those around him until he was evacuated. By his exceptional valor in the face of extreme peril, superior professional competence and unswerving dedication to duty throughout, Petty Officer Barraud upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.