The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant George Joseph Bolduc (MCSN: 0-103348), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 7 February 1968, Second Lieutenant Bolduc’s platoon was the lead element of a two-platoon reaction force assigned to support a Marine patrol besieged by an estimated company of North Vietnamese Army Regulars near the village of Dong Phu (3) in Quang Nam Province. Supported by four amphibian vehicles, his unit reached a position approximately seventy-five meters from the well-entrenched enemy when it came under intense mortar, rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire, temporarily halting the Marine advance. Realizing that his platoon would sustain extremely heavy casualties in the open terrain, he unhesitatingly exposed himself to the heavy hostile fire while moving among his men to direct and encourage them in an assault against the enemy positions. Advancing across the fire-swept area, his reaction force overran the first enemy trench. Consolidating his position, he assured that the wounded were receiving medical aid and then reorganized his men and continued to move to the second enemy trench, personally killing a North Vietnamese Army officer. Observing a North Vietnamese soldier approximately thirty meters way, he obtained an M-17 Grenade Launcher from a wounded Marine and, disregarding his own safety, attacked the hostile position, killing the enemy. Subsequently detecting two North Vietnamese in a nearby bunker, he obtained a Light Anti-Tank Assault Weapon from another Marine casualty and fired a direct hit on the bunker entrance, undoubtedly killing both of the occupants. Continuing to ignore the danger to his life from enemy fire, he fearlessly led his platoon against the remaining hostile position, killing several more enemy soldiers in close combat. His heroic and fearless actions during the engagement resulted in thirty-two enemy killed and the capture of numerous weapons, including several AK-47 rifles, B-40 and B-50 rockets and a 60-mm. mortar. Upon learning that supporting artillery fire would not be delivered in the area, he directed his platoon to withdraw, refusing to leave himself until all of his men had been moved to secure positions. Throughout, his superior leadership and bold initiative inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his dauntless courage, aggressive fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty in the face of extreme peril, Second Lieutenant Bolduc upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.