The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Ronald Lewis Allen (MCSN: 0-80654), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 26 and 27 June 1966. While conducting a search and destroy operation on the Battalion left flank, Captain Allen’s Company came under extremely intense and accurate enemy fire from a fortified hamlet to its immediate front. During the initial volley, the point of the Company suffered several casualties. After evacuating the wounded under murderous enemy fire, Captain Allen then moved to an exposed position where he displayed exceptional professional skill in the employment of supporting arms. Throughout the ensuing four hours, he continuously exposed himself to enemy fire as he moved from platoon to platoon to effect encirclement of the enemy. As darkness fell, he had effectively deployed his Company in such a manner that the Viet Cong force had no escape route. Although harassed throughout the night by long range sniper fire from the enemy to his rear, he maintained pressure on the enemy to his front. Near physical exhaustion, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to move among his men, providing them with direction and words of encouragement. The following morning, he led his Company in an assault on the fortified hamlet, which resulted in the complete destruction of a Viet Cong company. Captain Allen’s daring courage, exceptional fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty in the face of tremendous personal risk were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.