The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Lorenzo T. Arenas (MCSN: 2054727), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company B, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in action against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of 27 January 1966, Corporal Arenas was assigned to an outpost in the vicinity of Chu Lai when a force estimated at thirty to forty Viet Cong attacked with hand grenades and small arms. Five of the twelve men were killed by the initial burst of fire. Exhibiting superior composure and presence of mind, Corporal Arenas immediately assumed command, rallied the remnants of the unit and deployed the men in defensive positions. Constantly encouraging his men, he fearlessly exposed himself to the vicious hostile fire and, by skillful tactics and keen judgment, succeeded in preventing the Viet Cong from overrunning the position. Realizing that the Viet Cong had advanced to within hand grenade range, Corporal Arenas wisely maneuvered his men to a position along a river bank and, with a staunch determination which lent confidence to the others, denied the guerrillas further access. Avoiding possible ambush, he maintained the defensive position until daylight, then led the Marines back to the outpost and dispatched a patrol to seek assistance. His valiant effort and brilliant composure in a deteriorated situation saved the Marines from almost certain death at the hands of an overwhelming Viet Cong force. By his extraordinary leadership, initiative in the face of disaster and unswerving dedication to duty throughout, Corporal Arenas upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.