The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Narciso R. Cerna, Jr. (MCSN: 2110587), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company K, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam, on 15 July 1966. During Operation HASTINGS, the Second Platoon of Company K, of which Lance Corporal Cerna was a member, set up an ambush on the edge of a clearing. Several of the enemy patrol were killed and those who escaped the ambush moved to a flank of the platoon and manned their prepared positions in the dense undergrowth. Assigned the point position of the first fire team, Lance Corporal Cerna led the Second Squad in an attempt to encircle the enemy and sweep through their position from the rear while the remainder of the platoon acted as a blocking force. As his fire team approached the position, Lance Corporal Cerna was wounded by enemy automatic weapons fire. Completely disregarding his wounds, he concerned himself only with the accomplishment of his mission and continued to direct his team’s fire upon the well-concealed enemy until he succumbed to his wounds. As a result of his action, the squad was able to pinpoint the enemy, overcome their fire, and rout the remainder from their carefully prepared positions. Lance Corporal Cerna’s courage, inspiring leadership, and unswerving devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.