The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Daniel Scala (NSN: B-136907), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to Company G, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 15 March 1970, while returning to the Company’s defensive perimeter following the completion of several successful ambush operations in Quang Nam Province, the Third Platoon was pinned down by a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire from North Vietnamese Army soldiers occupying well-fortified caves in the surrounding rocky hillsides and, during the initial moments of the engagement, one of the Marines fell mortally wounded. Observing that the casualty lay in an open area which was vulnerable to the enemy fire and that several attempts by other Marines to rescue their companion were thwarted by the increased intensity of hostile activity, Petty Officer Scala unhesitatingly left his relatively secure position and rushed across the hazardous terrain to the side of the wounded Marine. Seemingly oblivious to the enemy fusillade impacting all around him, he rendered first aid to the casualty. Utilizing his own body as a shield, he then commenced moving the wounded man toward a covered area, but was seriously wounded before he could complete his lifesaving mission. However, his heroic and determined efforts inspired other Marines to rush forward and evacuate both men. By his courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty, Petty Officer Scala earned the respect and admiration of all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.