The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Donald Patrick Watson (NSN: 9987809), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 10 May 1967. During Operation UNION in the vicinity of Que Song, Petty Officer Watson’s platoon was assaulting Hill 110, when it came under fire from an estimated battalion of entrenched North Vietnamese Army troops and immediately sustained numerous casualties. The forward slope of the hill provided no cover and the wounded fell in open areas under continuous, intense enemy fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Petty Officer Watson repeatedly traveled the length of the company perimeter, administering first aid to the disabled Marines. Although painfully wounded in his thigh during the early moments of the six-hour battle, he applied a battle dressing and selflessly continued to render medical assistance to all who needed his services. On two occasions late in the action when he began to suffer from heat exhaustion and weakness from his own wound, he started to the rear only to observe additional casualties requiring treatment. With inspiring fortitude and compassion, he disregarded his own welfare and courageously continued in the performance of his duties. The calm and fearless manner in which he exposed himself to intense enemy fire to aid the wounded inspired all who observed him and undoubtedly assisted in saving numerous Marine lives. By his courageous actions, steadfast determination and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Petty Officer Watson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.