The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Engineman Fireman Michael Lee Meeks (NSN: 6766111), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a member of River Squadron FIVE (RivRon 5), while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against the Communist insurgent forces on the lower Bassack River in the Republic of Vietnam, on 11 July 1967. Fireman Meeks was the forward .50 caliber machine gun operator on a PBR (Patrol Boat River), when it was ambushed and hit with an extremely powerful Claymore mind and heavy automatic weapons fire. The blast from the mine killed two crewmembers instantly and wounded three seriously. The extensively damaged PBR with most of its crew killed or seriously wounded was now in danger of being completely destroyed or captured by the enemy. The explosive power of the mine hit with such intensity that Fireman Meeks was blown to the bottom of his gun mount and suffered serious shrapnel wounds to his head and body. Despite the nature of his injuries, and in the face of heavy automatic weapons fire from concealed positions, he climbed back into the mount and immediately began returning accurate suppressive fire. This quick reaction undoubtedly enabled the extensively damaged PBR to escape without sustaining any further casualties. Fireman Meeks kept up a tremendous volume of fire until expending his entire supply of ready service ammunition, but was unable to silence the enemy guns. By this time the covering PBR was returning fire and seeing that, Fireman Meeks exposing himself still further to the enemy fire climbed out of the forward gun mount and proceeded to the after portion of the PBR to render assistance to the other seriously wounded crewmen. His knowledge and cool proficiency in administering first aid prevented one man with a serious neck wound from dying immediately. When the PBR reached the support ship he assisted his wounded comrades on to the ship before letting anyone administer to his own serious wounds. By his daring actions, unselfish devotion to duty, and courageous fighting spirit in the face of personal risk, Fireman Meeks upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.