The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Hillmer Franklin Deatley (MCSN: 0-53925), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam, from 12 February to 18 February 1967. On 12 February, during Operation STONE, Lieutenant Colonel Deatley was assigned the mission of moving his battalion to an area deep within enemy controlled territory to block enemy escape routes. Organizing a night motor march with inexperienced drivers from different truck units, Lieutenant Colonel Deatley proceeded to the area of operation which was located twenty-five kilometers from his battalion’s Tactical Area of Responsibility. Moving his forces over an insecure and virtually unknown route, Lieutenant Colonel Deatley successfully reached his initial objective. After skillfully evaluating the situation, he decided to take maximum advantage of the lack of enemy resistance and continued his motor march further into the objective area before deploying his forces. His decision to move deeper into Viet Cong dominated territory contributed significantly toward containing a large Viet Cong force, enabling the Marines to encircle the enemy. Under his aggressive leadership, his unit assaulted the enemy on a frontage exceeding 3,000 meters of heavily fortified and thickly vegetated terrain, sustaining a minimum number of Marine casualties. As a result of his skillful and rapid employment of his infantry units and supporting arms, the enemy was prevented from establishing defensive positions in favorable terrain along the Son Chiem Son. During the following seven days, Lieutenant Colonel Deatley ably directed his men in seeking out and destroying the enemy while securing all of his assigned objectives. With complete disregard for his own safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire to personally direct and control his forces. On 17 February, when the Commander of Company I and several members of his command group were seriously wounded, Lieutenant Colonel Deatley unhesitatingly and resolutely moved to the hazardous area, directed heavy fire on the enemy and quickly gained fire superiority thus repulsing the enemy attack. Expeditiously supervising the care and evacuation of the seven wounded men, his timely actions undoubtedly helped save the lives of the Marines. His heroic actions and determined fighting spirit throughout inspired all who served with him and resulted in inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy force. By his exceptional professional skill, superb leadership and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Lieutenant Colonel Deatley contributed significantly to the success of Operation STONE and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
1st MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
April 21, 1967
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 Lieutenant Colonel Hillmer Franklin Deatley (MCSN: 0-53925), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 April 1967, during Operation UNIOIN near Bin Son in Quang Tin Province, Lieutenant Colonel Deatley led his command group and Company M in a helicopter borne assault mission to reinforce Company F of the Second Battalion, First Marines, which was heavily engaged with a numerically superior enemy force. Skillfully moving his units from the hazardous landing zone which was under intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire, he commenced an aggressive attack on the enemy positions and attempted to join Company F. Realizing the urgency of reinforcing the beleaguered company as soon as possible, Lieutenant Colonel Deatley, with complete disregard for his own safety, repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to pinpoint the Viet Cong positions and skillfully direct his men in the attack. Deciding that he would need additional forces to destroy the numerically superior enemy force, Lieutenant Colonel Deatley requested that Company I, the remainder of his forces, be helicopter lifted into the hostile area. After Company I arrived at the landing zone, Lieutenant Colonel Deatley courageously moved to a dangerously exposed position in order to personally point out the company’s route to the objective area. Fearlessly remaining exposed to heavy enemy fire, he continued to encourage and direct his men in an aggressive attack on the determined and well entrenched Viet Cong. Despite the intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, the Marines moved through the enemy positions and joined forces with the besieged company. While moving among his men, comforting the wounded and encouraging others to continue the assault, Colonel Deatley was severely wounded by enemy mortar fragments. Although unable to stand because of his extremely painful head wound, he courageously continued to direct his unit’s operations until he was certain that the objective had been secured and his forces had consolidated their positions for the night. As a result of his skillful direction of his men, the enemy was forced to withdraw. Seven hours after being wounded, Lieutenant Colonel Deatley allowed himself to be medically evacuated to a field hospital where he refused medical attention until all other wounded had received medical treatment. His exceptional professional skill and steadfast determination inspired all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his extraordinary courage, aggressive leadership, and selfless devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Deatley upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.