The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Gary Lynn Morrison (MCSN: 2474926), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Messenger with Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 February 1969, Private First Class Morrison was accompanying his battalion commander in a jeep along National Route Nine west of Cam Lo in Quang Tri Province when they encountered two vehicles which had detonated enemy mines, resulting in five Marine casualties. When the area came under a heavy volume of small arms, mortar, and recoilless rifle fire, Private First Class Morrison unhesitatingly threw himself across the body of the battalion commander, thereby saving him from serious injury or possible death. During the ensuing hostile attack, he complete disregarded his own safety as he carried messages to other Marines in the area, maneuvering across the fire-swept terrain to ensure compliance with the battalion commander’s order to establish a defensive perimeter. Subsequently, when medical evacuation helicopters arrived, he again exposed himself to the intense enemy fire as he fearlessly assisted his injured comrades to the waiting aircraft. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Private First Class Morrison inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.