The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Gordon Russell Willson (MCSN: 0-89458), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company B, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division, in action against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 15 March 1966, First Lieutenant Willson was commanding the point of a patrol as it entered a mountain pass west of the village of Duc Bo. As the Marines were moving along a trail beside a river, they were subjected to violent concentrated automatic weapons fire and the first seven men, including First Lieutenant Willson, were pinned down in an open area. With exceptional presence of mind in the tense situation, First Lieutenant Willson maneuvered his men one at a time to covered positions from which they could return the hostile fire. As the last man with him attempted to reach the cover of a nearby trench, he was seriously wounded. Although the withering fire continued to pelt the area from three directions, First Lieutenant Willson courageously ran to the stricken man and proceeded to administer medical aid. Unmindful of his personal danger, he remained in the exposed position, gallantly covering the wounded man’s body with his own at times when the volume of Viet Cong fire intensified. With the help of two others, he eventually succeeded in moving the man to the trench. He continued to direct the fire of his men with extreme accuracy while artillery and air strikes were in progress and the remainder of his Company maneuvered to drive the Viet Cong from their positions. His aggressive and daring effort undoubtedly prevented extensive casualties among his men, and contributed significantly to the eventual success of the engagement. By his extraordinary concern for the welfare of his fellow man at great risk of his own life, coupled with outstanding leadership and unfaltering dedication to duty, First Lieutenant Willson upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.