The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain [then Second Lieutenant] Justin M. Martin, II (MCSN: 0-103097), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 15 August 1968, Captain Martin was Commanding the point platoon of a search and destroy mission when he and his men were ambushed by a numerically superior enemy force entrenched on a river bank. Although wounded in the left arm, Captain Martin bravely led an assault through the area and killed three enemy soldiers who were closing in on his unit. Forced to withdraw the platoon to more defensible terrain, he carried his wounded radio operator across the fire-swept river and then laid down covering fire until his ammunition was exhausted. Working from an exposed position, and calling in artillery fire to cover the platoon’s final movement, he saw that the last Marine crossing the river was badly wounded. Without hesitation, Captain Martin again faced automatic weapons fire as he plunged into the river to bring the man to safety. Once ashore, he moved across 75 meters of open paddy land to brief his commander and supporting artillery personnel on the location of enemy positions. By his inspiring leadership, bold courage, and selfless devotion to duty, Captain Martin upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.