The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospitalman Third Class Eric Karl Hefright (NSN: B-407407), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while participating in combat operations while serving as a Hospital Corpsman with the First Platoon, Company G, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. On 19 April 1968, Petty Officer Hefright was a member of a reaction force dispatched from Ca Lu to relieve Marine elements which had been ambushed at Bridge 28 along Route 9. Upon arriving at the ambush site, the First Platoon came under intense enemy crossfire and two Marines were hit immediately. With complete disregard of his safety, Petty Officer Hefright ran to their assistance. One Marine had been killed outright and the other had been struck in the right hip by a heavy machine gun round. While administering first aid to the Marine, he was exposed to increasingly heavy fire and was wounded twice. In spite of extremely painful foot, hand, and multiple back injuries, Petty Officer Hefright continued to administer first aid until he could move his patient to relative safety behind a disabled tank. Disregarding his own injuries, he continued treating injured Marines and organizing litter teams. Petty Officer Hefright’s inspiring bravery, bold initiative, and impressive devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.