The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Burton K. Bower (MCSN: 2238843), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 May 1968 during Operation ALLEN BROOK, Companies L and M became heavily engaged with North Vietnamese Army forces in well concealed, fortified and mutually supporting positions in a tree line. In the ensuing battle, friendly casualties from enemy machine gun, automatic weapons and small arms fire rapidly increased and Company L was pinned down while evacuating the wounded. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Private First Class Bower picked up twelve Light Antitank Assault Weapons and his rifle and unhesitatingly moved to the point of heaviest contact. Completely disregarding his own safety, he stood in the open, exposed to hostile fire and began delivering accurate rocket fire into the enemy positions. Although the North Vietnamese concentrated their fire against him, he steadfastly maintained his position in the hazardous area and was painfully wounded in the shoulder. Undaunted, he continued to deliver rocket fire into the hostile emplacements until he had expended his ordnance. He then began delivering a heavy volume of accurate rifle fire and received a second wound and was medically evacuated. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Private First Class Bower contributed materially to the subsequent defeat of the enemy and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.