The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal George Ray Kabeller (MCSN: 2043283), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company H, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in action against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. While serving as a Fire Team Leader with the First Platoon on 4 March 1966, during Operation UTAH, Corporal Kabeller was engaged in an action to relieve another Marine unit which was low on ammunition, sustaining heavy casualties and in danger of being overrun by a numerically superior enemy force. Hostile forces located in a series of trenches, tunnels and caves prevented relief forces from reaching the besieged unit. While Corporal Kabeller was acting as head of his fire team and point for the platoon, vicious automatic weapons fire was received from the direct front and both flanks. Promptly locating the enemy machine gun position which was delivering devastating fire, he ordered his team to remain in position and take cover. In the face of almost certain death, corporal Kabeller raced across the open field of enfilade fire for about thirty-five meters and hurled a grenade into the Viet Cong bunker. Immediately after the explosion, he moved near the opening and emptied an entire magazine into the bunker. Five Viet Cong were killed in the position, and fifteen more who attempted to escape were subsequently killed by other members of the Marine squad. His daring effort not only resulted in heavy casualties to the enemy, but also averted a serious threat to his fellow Marines. By his invincible fighting spirit, exceptional professional skill and unswerving dedication to duty throughout, Corporal Kabeller upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.