The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Larry J. Steward (NSN: 5970591), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 5 January 1966, while serving as a Corpsman with the Second Platoon, Company D, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During Operation LONG LANCE, Petty Officer Steward was accompanying his platoon on a search and destroy operation near DaNang when lead elements crossing an open rice-paddy area were subjected to intense, accurate fire by a large force of well-concealed Viet Cong. With the platoon sustaining several casualties, Petty Officer Steward crawled forward through the withering enemy machine-gun fire to aid the wounded. While administering life-saving medical assistance in the midst of deadly grazing fire, he himself, was seriously wounded and was unable to continue. Despite his intense suffering, he calmly directed a Marine who came to his aid in administering sedatives to the seriously wounded. During the withdrawal of the casualties to a secure helicopter landing zone, Petty Officer Steward crawled to the platoon commander and offered recommendations concerning the movement and evacuation of the casualties. By his professional competence and unfaltering devotion to duty throughout this engagement with enemy forces, Petty Officer Steward upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.