The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal David Andrew Chacon (MCSN: 2409589), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 February 1969, Company A was patrolling in the A Shau Valley in Quang Tri Province when the lead elements came under a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire from a North Vietnamese Army force occupying well-concealed emplacements. Reacting immediately, Lance Corporal Chacon and the other members of his platoon initiated an aggressive assault against the enemy emplacements, momentarily stunning the hostile soldiers by the momentum of their attack. Upon recovering, the North Vietnamese Army unit directed intense, close-range fire at the Marines and, Lance Corporal Chacon, seeking to prevent friendly casualties, boldly arose and charged a machinegun position to his immediate front, silencing the weapon. Almost instantly, he was mortally wounded by fire from a nearby enemy soldier. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit’s accounting for 117 enemy soldiers killed. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Chacon contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.