The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Ta’Aloga Sivaivai Alo (MCSN: 1300719), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company C, Third Anti-Tank Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 August 1967, the Marine outpost at Con Thien came under an intense enemy mortar and artillery attack. In the initial moments of the attack, several Marines were wounded, including Staff Sergeant Alo who received a serious fragmentation wound in the neck. Upon hearing a call for assistance, he disregarded his painful injury and ran across thirty meters of fire-swept terrain to a partially completed bunker where he observed his wounded platoon commander and five companions. After directing the five Marines to positions of relative safety, he returned to assist the injured officer. Suddenly, another enemy artillery round impacted in a nearby 106-mm. ammunition storage area, setting several rounds on fire. Aware that an Ontos located nearby was in danger from burning ordnance, he fearlessly ran to the vehicle and drove it to a covered position. After returning to his platoon commander’s position, and assisted by a fellow Marine, he placed the casualty on a stretcher. While he carried the wounded officer to the aid station, an enemy round exploded nearby, killing the officer and the stretcher bearer, and seriously wounding Staff Sergeant Alo, who was rendered unconscious. By his steadfast courage, unfaltering determination and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Staff Sergeant Alo was an inspiration to all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.