The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Donald Ray Ellis (NSN: 7973694), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman with Company H, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the communist (North Vietnamese) forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 20 May 1967. During Operation HICKORY, the First Platoon was assigned the mission to search and clear a village located near the Ben Hai River within the Demilitarized Zone. As the platoon entered the village, it came under heavy enemy small-arms and automatic-weapons fire from North Vietnamese Regulars entrenched in strongly fortified bunkers. The point squad was immediately pinned down, and sustained several casualties. Although well in the rear of the point of contact, Petty Officer Ellis unhesitatingly rushed through the intense cross fire to answer the call of several seriously wounded Marines. Moving from man to man, he rendered first aid to each casualty from an exposed position only twenty-five meters from enemy emplacements before he himself fell mortally wounded. By his outstanding courage and selfless devotion to duty in the face of intense enemy fire, Petty Officer Ellis served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.