The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Harvey L. Baker (MCSN: 2288653), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company L, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 26 February 1969, Company L was conducting a search and destroy operation in a dense jungle area of Quang Tri Province when two Marines were mortally wounded and two others seriously injured by a heavy volume of small arms fire and anti-personnel mines detonated by a North Vietnamese Army unit occupying a well-concealed position. Reacting instantly, Private First Class Baker boldly moved between the enemy and his fallen comrades and, taking advantage of the terrain, commenced delivering fire which enabled the remainder of his company to deploy into effective fighting positions. When a hostile soldier attacked one of the wounded Marines, Private First Class Baker fearlessly charged forward from his position and intercepted the attacker and killed the man in hand-to-hand combat. Returning to his covered location, he resolutely continued firing at the North Vietnamese soldiers, who soon began a disorganized withdrawal. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and saved the lives of two Marines. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Private First Class Baker was instrumental in the defeat of the enemy and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.