The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel [then Sergeant] Durward C. Waddill, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company D, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 November 1967, Sergeant Waddill was monitoring the Battalion’s radio net from the base at Phu Bai, when he heard that a reconnaissance team to which he had recently been attached had been ambushed and was having difficulty evacuating its casualties. Sergeant Waddill rushed to the helicopter refueling pits at Phu Bai, and boarded a UH-1 that was returning to attempt to extract the team. Arriving at the team’s location, Sergeant Waddill was hoisted down into the jungle and immediately organized the evacuation of the two most seriously wounded, and then the remaining team members. Alone in the jungle, he gathered the team’s rifles and radios. A helicopter returned for him and hoisted him out, dragging him through heavy underbrush and causing him multiple injuries. His efforts resulted in the saving of all the members of the reconnaissance team. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Sergeant Waddill reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.