The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospitalman Mansley R. Poth, Jr. (NSN: B-784831), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman with Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 June 1969, while his unit was heavily engaged in a fire fight with a large, well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force in Quang Nam Province, Hospitalman Poth observed a wounded Marine lying in an open rice paddy approximately twenty-five meters from the friendly lines. With complete disregard for his own safety, he unhesitatingly exposed himself to enemy fire as he went to the aid of the casualty and, after examining the Marine, he determined that the man would not survive without an immediate tracheotomy. Fearlessly remaining in a dangerously exposed position, Hospitalman Poth performed the operation on the wounded man and treated his head injuries, completely ignoring the machine gun rounds that continued to impact nearby as he worked. On two occasions, while he was engaged in caring for his patient, he boldly shielded the Marine with his own body when mortar and rocket rounds impacted within ten meters of his position. This selfless action prevented any further injury to the patient, although Hospitalman Poth sustained fragment damage in his protective clothing and his medical bag. Valiantly remaining with the Marine after completing his medical treatment, he waited for a lull in the fire fight, and then carried the injured man across the hazardous area to friendly lines. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the life of a severely wounded Marine. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Hospitalman Poth upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.