The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Walter Eugene Boomer (MCSN: 0-79957), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving in the Republic of Vietnam, from 30 March t0 3 April 1972. As the Senior Advisor to the Fourth Infantry Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Corps, Major Boomer was located on Fire Support Base SARGE, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. On 30 March 1972, the defensive positions came under a massive enemy artillery attack. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Major Boomer left the protection of the Battalion Command Bunker, and moved to the exposed face of the mountain-top fire support base in an effort to locate the enemy firing positions and to direct counter-battery fire against the enemy artillery pieces. Major Boomer’s extraordinary courageous efforts materially contributed to the destruction of several enemy gun positions and significantly enhanced the Fourth Vietnamese Marine Corps Battalion’s ability to retain their critical defensive position. During the later hours of the attack Major Boomer lost radio contact with two U.S. Army personnel. Discovering that the bunker which the two Americans were occupying had received a direct hit from an enemy shell and was beginning to collapse, Major Boomer courageously made numerous attempts to enter the inferno to rescue the individuals. On 2 April 1972, the struggling survivors were attacked by an unknown size enemy force as they entered a small clearing in the jungle. The exhausted Vietnamese Marines, with little ammunition and having gone for two days without food for sleep, became disorganized. Major Boomer, quickly realizing the seriousness of the situation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, provided covering fire for the dispirited troops, allowing them to withdraw, and prevented their ultimate capture. Major Boomer’s steadfast and extraordinary personal courage were a major influence on the Vietnamese Marines. His devotion to duty, courage under fire and exemplary professionalism were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Walter Eugene Boomer (MCSN: 0-79957), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company H, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), on 5 February 1967, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During a search and clear operation near Dai Loc in Quang Nam Province, one of Captain Boomer’s squads was crossing a stream when it came under heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire from a well entrenched enemy force estimated to be of company size. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Boomer immediately moved to the stream to assess the situation and personally supervise the advance of the remainder of his company through the dense jungle in an effort to suppress the enemy fire. With full knowledge of the hazards involved, he repeatedly exposed himself to the intense enemy fire while maneuvering his unit. Receiving word that the Battalion Commander had dispatched two additional companies to assist him and realizing that the other Company Commanders were unfamiliar with the terrain, Captain Boomer quickly took the initiative and personally coordinated the three-company attack while simultaneously directing effective artillery and air strikes on the enemy force. Throughout the fire fight he continued to brave fierce enemy fire as he conducted the necessary liaison with the other Company Commanders. His exceptional professional skill and courageous actions resulted in routing a Viet Cong main force unit, killing more than a platoon of the enemy and capturing numerous weapons and equipment. By his inspiring leadership, aggressive fighting spirit, initiative and loyal devotion to duty, Captain Boomer upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.