The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Raymond T. Mierzwa (NSN: 6869950), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Corpsman with Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 16 May 1967, Petty Officer Mierzwa’s company was heavily engaged with a numerically superior and well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force. Observing Marine casualties lying in an open area exposed to intense enemy automatic weapons fire and exploding hand grenades, Petty Officer Mierzwa, disregarding his own safety, unhesitatingly moved through the hostile fire to aid his wounded comrades. Although painfully wounded in the hand by enemy fire, he made three trips across the fire-swept terrain, skillfully administering medical aid to the casualties and carrying them to positions of relative safety. Physically restrained by members of his platoon from making additional trips into the hazardous area, Petty Officer Mierzwa rendered continuing medical assistance to the wounded in the landing zone and refused evacuation for himself until all others had been safely evacuated. His determination and sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades were an inspiration to all who observed him and undoubtedly saved the lives of numerous Marines. By his steadfast courage, superior professional skill and selfless devotion to duty, Petty Officer Mierzwa upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.