The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Phillip R. Gates (MCSN: 2326768), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company E, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 10 August 1969, while occupying a night defensive position near the Demilitarized Zone in Quang Tri Province, Corporal Gates’ platoon came under a vicious ground attack by a North Vietnamese Army company reinforced by sappers utilizing automatic weapons fire, rocket-propelled grenades, and satchel charges. During the initial moments of the assault, the momentum of the enemy movement enabled several of the hostile soldiers to penetrate a portion of the Marines’ defensive perimeter and approach the command post. Corporal Gates, armed only with a .45 caliber pistol, vigorously defended his position and killed the advancing sappers with accurate fire. As he exhausted his ammunition, he alertly observed another sapper crawling toward the rear of the command post armed with a satchel charge and, gaining his feet, engaged the hostile soldier in fierce hand-to-hand combat and succeeded in disarming him before he escaped. After dispensing with this threat, Corporal Gates reloaded his weapon and was providing security for the platoon commander and radio operator when he was seriously wounded by fragments from a rocket-propelled grenade which detonated nearby. Steadfastly refusing medical attention, he remained in his dangerously exposed position, despite enemy rounds impacting all around him, and provided covering fire until the North Vietnamese Army unit was defeated. Although suffering pain, he then assisted in administering first aid to his more critically wounded companions and refused to be medically evacuated until all other casualties had been cared for. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Corporal Gates inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.