The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal John C. Armstrong (MCSN: 2377114), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Intelligence Scout attached to Company G, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 April 1969, Company G was establishing a defensive position along a series of three hilltops northwest of Cam Lo in Quang Tri Province when the Marines were assaulted by a company-sized North Vietnamese Army unit utilizing mortars, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Ignoring the grenades and satchel charges exploding nearby, Corporal Armstrong resolutely manned his position and delivered accurate fire which was instrumental in repulsing the hostile attack in his sector of the perimeter. When one of his companions was wounded, Corporal Armstrong alertly observed the muzzle flash from a hostile soldier’s weapon and, immediately delivering a burst of fire with his rifle, killed the enemy. Subsequently, Corporal Armstrong maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain and, together with a Kit Carson Scout, captured three North Vietnamese soldiers. His superb command of the Vietnamese language and his professional competence were instrumental in prisoners’ volunteering valuable intelligence information which enabled the Marines to thwart enemy plans for future attacks against friendly installations in the area. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty at great personal risk, Corporal Armstrong upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.