The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal [then Private First Class] John Abely (MCSN: 2249793), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Combined Action Platoon 2-1, Sub-Unit One, Headquarters Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of 19 April 1967, Lance Corporal Abely was on security watch when his platoon came under a heavy enemy grenade attack. Immediately alerting the other three Marines at his position, he boldly moved forward to repel the enemy who had entered a trench line in front of his position. During the initial grenade assault, two of the Marines were seriously wounded and unable to assist in defending their position. Meeting two of the enemy in the trench line, Lance Corporal Abely killed one and when his rifle malfunctioned used it as a club to dispatch the other. Although painfully wounded during this action by grenade fragments, he and a fellow Marine hurled hand grenades against the Viet Cong until their supply was expended. Lance Corporal Abely then ordered his companion to emplace a Claymore mine while he provided covering fire. When the Viet Cong massed for an attack, he detonated the mine which inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. With the enemy fire silenced, Lance Corporal Abely directed and assisted in the removal of the seriously wounded Marines from their burning bunker to a position of relative safety. Ignoring his own painful wounds, he administered first aid to the casualties, established a defensive perimeter for their protection and remained with them until he was relieved by a reaction force. By his uncommon courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lance Corporal Abely upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.