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.