The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Johnny L. Banks (MCSN: 2491653), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company D, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 14 February 1969, during a company-sized patrol in Quang Nam Province, the point element took the command post of a North Vietnamese Army company by surprise. One enemy soldier was killed, and the others hastily retreated to the security of fortified positions under cover of protective fire from a bunker emplacement fifteen meters to the Marines’ front. While the Marines, situated in a fighting position in a bomb crater, were firing on the command post, a hostile hand grenade landed beside Private First Class Banks who was providing covering fire for his comrades located along the rim of the crater. With complete disregard for his own safety, he unhesitatingly seized the smoldering device and threw it away from his companions. It exploded in the air, causing only minor injuries to the Marines. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and saved his comrades from serious injury or possible death. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Private First Class Banks upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.