The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Duane Alan Balfanz (MCSN: 0-96079), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Assistant Advisor to Brigade B, Vietnamese Marine Corps, while conducting combat operations in the U Minh Forest area of Kien Giang Province, Republic of Vietnam. At 0130 on 6 November 1969, elements of Brigade B, Vietnamese Marine Corps and three RAIDS of the Vietnamese Navy came under intense mortar and rocket attack while occupying a fire support base located at Dong Hung. Captain Balfanz moved to a position near the Brigade operations tent and initiated communications with higher headquarters. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he remained in an exposed position and maintained liaison with adjacent units to control the fires of the VNN RAID elements and the VNMC artillery. At 0300 the large enemy force began a determined attack upon the entire perimeter. Captain Balfanz steadfastly remained in the battle area, although wounded by fragments as the Operations Center took a direct hit from a B-40 rocket, a fifty meter portion of the outer perimeter was breached and the command post penetrated. He continued to rally the Brigade B defenders until his position was untenable whereupon he moved through the open and exposed area, while constantly under fire, to a safer position aboard the command and control boat of the RAID elements. He continued to display calm and efficient professionalism as he returned fire at the enemy. His aggressive fighting spirit and devotion to duty were an inspiration to all who observed and served to rally the defenders. His heroic actions contributed directly to the breaking of the enemy attack and the routing of the enemy force from the command post. Captain Belfanz’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.