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 Gunnery Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant] Jacob Nelson (MCSN: 1832510), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Early on the morning of 14 October 1967, while Gunnery Sergeant Nelson’s company was occupying a night defensive position at a vital bridge on the main supply route to Con Thien, the entire battalion came under heavy rocket and mortar attack followed by an assault by a large enemy force. In the initial attack, Gunnery Sergeant Nelson fearlessly exposed himself to intense enemy fire as he moved from the command bunker to a position from which he directed counterbattery fire on suspected enemy rocket and mortar positions. Disregarding his own safety, he simultaneously directed the extraction under fire of a reinforced squad, which was deployed in an ambush position 200 meters in front of the perimeter. In the ensuing fire fight when enemy forces overran a machine gun position in his section of the perimeter, Gunnery Sergeant Nelson quickly reorganized his platoon and launched a fierce counterattack. With only four men and a machine gun, he repulsed the assaulting enemy and reestablished perimeter security. Throughout the battle, Gunner Sergeant Nelson continually exposed himself to intense enemy fire as he moved from one position to another, encouraging his men, directing their fire and assisting in the evacuation of casualties. His unhesitant and courageous actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the successful accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his steadfast determination, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Gunnery Sergeant Nelson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.