The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant John M. Basel (MCSN: 0-102818), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Battery H, Third Battalion, Twelfth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 25 February 1969, while occupying a position at Fire Support Base RUSSELL in Quang Tri Province, Battery H came under heavy hostile mortar fire followed by a determined ground assault by a large enemy force utilizing satchel charges, rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons fire, which succeeded in penetrating the Marines’ perimeter. During the ensuing fire fight, First Lieutenant Basel repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire as he moved about the fire-swept area to encourage his men and direct their return fire. Completely disregarding his own safety, he boldly picked up an un-manned machine gun and ignoring the enemy fire, fearlessly directed a heavy volume of accurate and effective fire against the oncoming hostile force. Undaunted by the danger to his life when an enemy satchel charge was thrown at him, he instantly picked it up and threw it back at the hostile soldiers. Oblivious to the enemy rounds impacting nearby, First Lieutenant Basel rallied his men and led an aggressive counterattack which routed the hostile and forced them to retreat. His heroic actions and under fire inspired all who observed him and aided the Marines to gain the advantage and defeat the enemy. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, First Lieutenant Basel upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.